Camel slaughter doesn't go down well with people

Camel slaughter doesn't go down well with people
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Case 1: A 35-year-old resident of Anjaneyappa block in J.C. Nagar had to undergo several sessions of psychiatric counselling and pop high dose of pills for over a week after she witnessed an adult camel being slaughtered outside her house on Bakrid last year.

Case 2: Residents of Windsor Park, 17 Millers Road, have watched cows, oxen, sheep being slaughtered in front of their apartments on Bakrid last year. This year they have added a camel to slaughter list. Complaints by the residents of the 32 apartments in the building to agencies including policemen and Bangalore City Corporation but proved ineffective.

There are many others waiting for some one to stop the slaughter. But this year too the law will be violated.

Residents associations and animal welfare organisations like Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, People for Animals and Akila Karnataka Prani Daya Sangha are on a war path with the Government demanding enforcement of Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959, which prescribes a fine with or without imprisonment for offering or participating in sacrifice.

The police say they are too busy to stop animal slaughter. ‘‘We have so many problems. Don’t expect us to rescue animals. The BCC will have to do it,’’ said a senior police official. BCC officials say they will not be able to act on complaints. ‘‘We have warned people not buy meat not slaughtered in authorised slaughter houses. That’s all we can do,’’ said an official.

An animal husbandry department official said, ‘‘No comment. It is not only a religious issue but also a political one. We don’t want to get involved. Let ministers decide.’’ Animal Husbandry Minister Merjuddin Patel had said the department will call a meeting to decide if the ban on sacrifice should be relaxed for Bakrid.

Ministers including Labour Minister Tanvir Sait, who is for slaughte,r and Merjuddin Patel were not available for comment.

(Names of the residents have been withheld on request)