A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA at a press conference on Tuesday Animal slaughter ban Emphasizing the need for a statement that made political and social circles upheaval. He said that “Muslims should now cut a goat -shaped cake instead of cutting a real goat on Bakrid, so that animals can be stopped and the path of violence in modern India can be closed.”
After his statement, debate has erupted across the country. From social media to TV debates, this issue is hot.
Bakrid or Eid-ul-Azha is an important festival of the Muslim community, in which the religious tradition of sacrifice is played. This tradition is celebrated with the aim of remembering the faith and sacrifice of Prophet Abraham.
But the BJP MLA to say that the time has come that Animal slaughter ban Apply, causing a situation of conflict with the fundamental rights of religious freedom. He argues that “kindness and sensitivity towards animals should be given priority in a democratic country like India.”
After this statement by the BJP MLA, hashtags like #Animalslaugterban and #LeligiousFreedom started trending on social media. While one class termed this statement as courageous and human, the other class called it a conspiracy to target a particular religion.
Many organizations including All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have condemned the statement and described it as hurting religious sentiments. The AIMPLB spokesperson said, “The sacrifice is part of our faith and intervention is unacceptable.”
Article 25 of the Indian Constitution gives every citizen freedom to follow religion. But in this constitution, ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960’ is also present in this constitution. Between this duality Animal slaughter ban There has also been a debate among law experts about the validity of.
In previous years, various High Courts have considered animal slaughter valid with some limitations on religious occasions. But now the question is arising whether religious traditions can be changed in the name of social morality and animal welfare?
Following the MLA’s statement, the BJP’s top leadership has not yet made any official comments. Some party leaders have described it as “personal views”.
Opposition parties like Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and TMC raised the issue and said that the BJP is deliberately trying to communal polarization in the electoral atmosphere. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “This is not only a violation of religious freedom, but an attempt to divide the country in a sensitive time.”
Animal Rights Organization Peta India appreciated the statement of the MLA and said that “It is a need for time in India Animal slaughter ban To be taken seriously. Religious freedom does not mean that innocent animals are killed. ”
Sociologists believe that if any major social change is to be brought, it should be brought not by force but with dialogue and consent. Cultural understanding should be given priority instead of imposing changes.
It has become clear from this whole development that it is very important to balance between religious traditions and social sensitivity in a diversity country like India. The BJP MLA’s statement has given rise to a new debate, which can create a complex equation between law, society and culture, not just limited to religion and politics in the coming times.
