The Muslim Reformative Society (MRS) has demanded that beef export licences be cancelled and that prohibition of cow slaughter be implemented effectively across the nation. The MRS has stated these demands in a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister which was submitted through the Dehradun district magistrate recently, said the MRS head Haji Hussain Ahmed. Addressing the media here on Monday, Ahmed said that considering religious and other factors, the slaughter of cow should be prohibited across the nation. However, cow slaughter is continuing with the Government issuing licenses for exporting beef.
He said, “In our memorandum to the PM we have demanded that the Government of India should cancel beef export licenses and strictly enforce a ban on cow slaughter in the country. The same stringent penalty should be awarded to the sellers and buyers of old and non-lactating cows illegally slaughtered and those selling beef. We have also demanded that the State Government should ensure effective implementation of the Uttarakhand Cow and its Progeny Protection Act 2007. In order to raise awareness against cow slaughter and related issues, we have made former chairperson of Dehradun bar association, Razia Beig the head of Gau Suraksha Sangharsh Samiti (GRSS),” he informed. The Sheher Qazi and Ulema were also present when the MRS memorandum was submitted to the DM, which shows the community support against cow slaughter, he added.
GRSS head Razia Beig said that apart from raising public awareness on the issue of cow slaughter, the body also plans to stage a demonstration in support of the demand for nation-wide ban on cow slaughter. She said, “We have been raising awareness on clow slaughter and the need for banning it. During our interaction with members of the Muslim community we found that the majority of them are against cow slaughter. Many Muslims have contacted us and assured us that they will not touch beef and also inform us about its illegal sale.” Beig also stressed on the need for enforcement of the Uttarakhand Cow and its Progeny Protection Act 2007. Questioning whether the authorities maintain records of bovines rescued from smugglers, she said that absence of records may enable the smuggling of the rescued bovines. Citing recent incidents, she said that though some Muslims may be involved in cow slaughter, all followers of Islam should not be put in this category. Not all those involved in cow slaughter are Muslims, she stressed.