Exercise restraint over bovine slaughter on Eid: Geelani
“I appeal to the pro-freedom people that they should sacrifice animal according to the religious laws and the religious mood. However, there should be no attempt to use this sacred work for provocation or to hurt the sentiments of others,” Syed Ali Geelani, separatist leader
Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani today appealed for restraint as tension brews in Jammu and Kashmir over possible increase in bovine slaughter on Eid-ul-Adha this week.
In a carefully drafted statement, Geelani said no power could declare beef “forbidden for us” but advised the residents “not to indulge in any activity (on Eid-ul-Adha) which hurts the sentiments of other communities”.
“I appeal to the pro-freedom people that they should sacrifice animal according to the religious laws and the religious mood. However, there should be no attempt to use this sacred work for provocation or to hurt the sentiments of others,” he said.
Eid will be celebrated in the region on Friday and Saturday. This year’s festivity, however, will be held in the backdrop of a Jammu and Kashmir High Court direction, asking the state administration to implement a monarchical law which bans the sale of beef and slaughter of bovines.
The HC order, issued earlier this month, triggered widespread protests in the Valley as Muslim religious and separatist groups termed it as an infringement of their religious affairs and vowed to slaughter bovines, including cows, on Eid to defy the ban.
The state government, fearing escalation in tension in Jammu division due to bovine slaughter in Kashmir on Eid, is considering various measures, including suspension of internet services and detention of separatist leaders during the three-day festivity.
Sources in the state government said Geelani’s appeal for restraint, however, had forced a rethink of plans. The plan to suspend the internet services in the region on Eid has been put on hold and the government will now monitor the impact of Geelani’s appeal before taking a final call, the sources said.
Geelani, in his statement, jumped between religious rhetoric and reason, trying to strengthen his appeal for restraint, as he spoke cautiously on the sensitive issue of bovine slaughter.
“This religious duty (of sacrificing an animal) should be a way to earn Allah’s pleasure and it should not become a cause to hurt others,” Geelani said in an appeal directed to the “Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir”.Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, further said attempts were being made to communalise the separatist struggle.
