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After one of the Muslim households in society on Mira Road in Mumbai brought two goats a day before Bakrid (Eid-Ul-Adha), a huge uproar broke out in Maharashtra’s capital city. The society members unexpectedly refused the Muslim family’s request to bring the goats into the society’s boundaries and declared that they wouldn’t permit any sort of animal butchering within the community’s boundaries.
The incident happened at the JP Infra society, where a family had purchased two goats in preparation for the forthcoming Bakrid or Bakra Eid, also known as Eid al-Adha. The decision, however, did not sit well with some locals, causing a stir and rising hostilities between the opposing factions.
The early reports claim that the controversy started on the evening of June 27. On Bakrid, the residents of the community on Mira Road demonstrated against the slaughter of goats inside the society’s grounds while chanting the Hanuman Chalisa. Some of the crowd also chanted “Jai Shree Ram,” whose videos are currently trending on social media.
Residents allegedly witnessed a Muslim household bringing two white goats inside their flat. They complained to the society’s administrators, who eventually ordered the family to remove the goats from the property. The goats were brought to the Muslim family’s flat, after which the society officials undoubtedly alerted the police.
According to the Muslim household, no goats would be offered for sacrifice on the grounds of the society. The family allegedly replied, according to India Today, that they purchase goats each year. However, they never slaughter them inside the society premises.
As soon as they arrived on the scene, the police made an effort to keep calm and promote harmony within the community. The Police provided the other society members with assurances that no slaughtering would occur on the society’s property. It is also believed that the police permitted the goats by claiming that there is no rule or law prohibiting a man from bringing goats or other animals inside his home.
Efforts made by the Society Administration to resolve the issue:
The society administration posted a notice forbidding goat slaughter and pleading with inhabitants to respect their neighbours’ rights to diffuse the escalating tension. The notification stressed the value of upholding a quiet neighbourhood and urged all parties to work towards a peaceful conclusion.
Despite the warning, things got worse when the society administration took the goats out of the lift. Residents who supported the presence of the animals were enraged by this conduct, which led them to organise a protest.
They urged that law enforcement get involved, claiming that as long as they didn’t break any rules or bother their neighbours, they should be able to keep animals as pets.
The irate locals demanded urgent police involvement as tensions grew. They had the opinion that the presence of law enforcement officers would aid in reestablishing calm, settling the argument, and ensuring the security of all inhabitants.
Why do Muslims kill animals including Bakra during Bakrid?
Muslims slaughter livestock (Bakra) every year during the Eid celebration, and many think that the Prophet Muhammad started the custom. They slaughter the animals, practise Halal, and then share it with their family and other people.
According to the narratives, God intervened and sent an animal as a substitute sacrifice in honour of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismaeel, as an act of obedience to God’s command, resulting in the celebration of Bakrid or Eid-ul-Adha. Every year, Muslims observe this day by offering an animal as a sacrifice to Allah. It lasts for three days, starting on June 29, and includes two-unit namaz in addition to goat and sheep sacrifices.
