Goat vs pig high drama in Mumbai society as Eid sacrifice shed spark clash
Tension escalated further when VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered at the society gate and recited the Hanuman Chalisa as part of their protest. Police also intercepted some protesters who allegedly attempted to bring a pig to the society premises, claiming it was for a "Varaha Puja".
A dispute over the construction of a shed and the tying of sacrificial goats ahead of Bakrid triggered tensions at a housing society in Maharashtra’s Thane district, leaving at least three people injured.
According to police sources, the violence broke out in Mira Road, a suburb in Thane district, after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal joined the residents in objecting to a temporary shed and the tying of sacrificial goats.
Around 12:50 am on May 26, a man allegedly approached the group and enquired about Nagnath Kamble, a local VHP leader. When questioned by the protesters about his identity and purpose, the man reportedly pulled out a knife and attempted to attack them. In the ensuing scuffle, he allegedly injured several people with a blade. The injured are said to be associated with the VHP.
An FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Harsh Singh, who was also injured in the incident. The accused was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the authorities.
TENSIONS FLARE UP
Tension escalated further when VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered at the society gate and recited the Hanuman Chalisa as part of their protest. They also demanded strict action against the accused responsible for injuring the protesters.
Police also intercepted some protesters who allegedly attempted to bring a pig to the society premises, claiming it was for a “Varaha Puja” in protest against the keeping of goats for sacrifice.
However, "Varaha Puja" is primarily performed on Varaha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu's boar incarnation, which falls on September 12 this year.
Senior police officials, including the Divisional Commissioner of Police, reached the spot to defuse tensions and mediate between the groups.
TENSIONS TRIGGER REACTIONS
The controversy soon drew political reactions.
Sanjay Upadhyay, BJP MLA from Borivali, warned against illegal slaughter and made controversial remarks linking the protest to pigs being brought into housing societies.
“In Borivali’s Sumer Heights, one Muslim family stays, but they brought six goats. The whole society is against them. Similar things are happening in Mira Road. If the minority community does not follow the Constitution and follows Sharia, then we will answer goats with pigs,” he said.
Pratap Sarnaik, Shiv Sena minister and the local MLA, appealed for restraint and said people should respect the sentiments of all communities living in housing societies. He also blamed outsiders for trying to instigate people.
Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party said no illegal qurbani should be allowed and urged authorities to ensure sacrifices, where permitted, are carried out in enclosed spaces as per guidelines.
“Since the Muslim community is in a minority, they should be helped. If leaders are making statements against state guidelines, action should be taken against them,” Azmi said.
GOVT TAKES ACTION
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and other BJP leaders have already urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue a circular imposing a blanket ban on goat sacrifice in housing societies and chawls during Bakrid.
They said that despite existing regulations governing religious animal slaughter, goats are still being brought into several residential areas. BMC officials, however, maintain that strict guidelines are already in place for such practices.
The Maharashtra government has meanwhile directed police to invoke stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against cattle smugglers and illegal slaughterhouses ahead of Bakrid.
A dispute over the construction of a shed and the tying of sacrificial goats ahead of Bakrid triggered tensions at a housing society in Maharashtra’s Thane district, leaving at least three people injured.
According to police sources, the violence broke out in Mira Road, a suburb in Thane district, after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal joined the residents in objecting to a temporary shed and the tying of sacrificial goats.
Around 12:50 am on May 26, a man allegedly approached the group and enquired about Nagnath Kamble, a local VHP leader. When questioned by the protesters about his identity and purpose, the man reportedly pulled out a knife and attempted to attack them. In the ensuing scuffle, he allegedly injured several people with a blade. The injured are said to be associated with the VHP.
An FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Harsh Singh, who was also injured in the incident. The accused was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the authorities.
TENSIONS FLARE UP
Tension escalated further when VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered at the society gate and recited the Hanuman Chalisa as part of their protest. They also demanded strict action against the accused responsible for injuring the protesters.
Police also intercepted some protesters who allegedly attempted to bring a pig to the society premises, claiming it was for a “Varaha Puja” in protest against the keeping of goats for sacrifice.
However, "Varaha Puja" is primarily performed on Varaha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu's boar incarnation, which falls on September 12 this year.
Senior police officials, including the Divisional Commissioner of Police, reached the spot to defuse tensions and mediate between the groups.
TENSIONS TRIGGER REACTIONS
The controversy soon drew political reactions.
Sanjay Upadhyay, BJP MLA from Borivali, warned against illegal slaughter and made controversial remarks linking the protest to pigs being brought into housing societies.
“In Borivali’s Sumer Heights, one Muslim family stays, but they brought six goats. The whole society is against them. Similar things are happening in Mira Road. If the minority community does not follow the Constitution and follows Sharia, then we will answer goats with pigs,” he said.
Pratap Sarnaik, Shiv Sena minister and the local MLA, appealed for restraint and said people should respect the sentiments of all communities living in housing societies. He also blamed outsiders for trying to instigate people.
Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party said no illegal qurbani should be allowed and urged authorities to ensure sacrifices, where permitted, are carried out in enclosed spaces as per guidelines.
“Since the Muslim community is in a minority, they should be helped. If leaders are making statements against state guidelines, action should be taken against them,” Azmi said.
GOVT TAKES ACTION
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and other BJP leaders have already urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue a circular imposing a blanket ban on goat sacrifice in housing societies and chawls during Bakrid.
They said that despite existing regulations governing religious animal slaughter, goats are still being brought into several residential areas. BMC officials, however, maintain that strict guidelines are already in place for such practices.
The Maharashtra government has meanwhile directed police to invoke stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against cattle smugglers and illegal slaughterhouses ahead of Bakrid.
