Shivangi Prakash-
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed two petitions asking the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to grant place for religious water buffalo sacrifices at Deonar Abattoir in Mumbai on Bakrid.
“Public health is above religion. This has been done keeping in mind prevailing circumstances. This cannot be according to wishes of people. Otherwise administration will not be able to manage,” the Bench headed by the Chief Justice Dipankar Datta remarked before disposing of the petition.
BMC’s Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare informed the Court that a circular dated July 19, 2021, had been issued related to the Deonar Abbattoir in respect of Bakrid activities and festivities to be held between July 21 and 23.
According to the circular, the slaughterhouse will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on these dates, and no more than 300 buffaloes will be butchered per day.
However, petitioners Al-Quarish Human Welfare Association and All India Jamiatul Quresh asked the Court to increase the slaughterhouse’s authorization from 300 to 700 animals each day.
They claimed that before the circular was posted, people had already purchased cattle online and that if those figures were included, the total number of animals for slaughter would exceed 1,000, which may be allowed.
The Court refused to interfere with the circular, stating that the petitioners’ complaint about a slaughterhouse had been resolved.
The Court also expressed hope that the city authorities would guarantee that the circular was implemented correctly and under the pandemic protocols.
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