With a few days to Eid al-Adha also known as Bakra Eid, the priests of Ajmer Dargah Sharif have joined the nationwide call from other Muslim clerics for declaring cow as the “national animal” and imposing a ban on sale, slaughter and export of beef. This appeal comes after other Muslim clerics including Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasmi of Kolkata’s Nakhoda Masjid, urging community members to not sacrifice cows during Bakra Eid.

Why are clerics making this appeal?

This appeal has come amidst the advisory by governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam, to be cautious and incidents of cow slaughter could lead to punitive action with Eid-ul-Azha scheduled on May 28.

A call to declare cow the national animal

The priest of Ajmer dargah, Syed Sarwar Chishti, raised a question, why has the Central government not declared cow as the national animal, even though cow has religious significance in India. He said, “Is it part of some design or agenda that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS have still not declared the cow a national animal despite its religious importance?”.

He requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a special session of Parliament and bring in place stricter laws against the sale, purchase and export of cows. He also insisted stricter action against those who abandon cows after the lactating period ends as they are left in misery on streets where they are consuming plastic waste and this is leading to health issues.

Muslims should take a pledge not to buy cows

Apart from requesting the government to declare Cow as the national animal, Chishti pointed out that there are fringe elements who are creating nuisance and engaging in violence in the name of cow protection, “Those selling cows are non-Muslims. Muslims should take a pledge not to buy cows,”.

He even asked dargahs across India to release video messages urging people to maintain peace and decorum, and remain vigilant and avoid reacting to any provocation and adhere to state rules related to sacrifices.

Other priests Syed Shajar Ali Madarvi of Dargah Syed Badiuddin Zinda Shah Madar in Kanpur said, “Lynching incidents have increased in recent times over suspicion over cow slaughter. Both the state govts and the Union govt have not been able to address this issue.” He adds, “We appeal Muslims not to transport or purchase cows even for farming or milk purposes.”

A similar message has been conveyed by clerics associated with the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi.

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