No cow or camel slaughter for Bakrid, Delhi govt warns amid animal welfare concerns

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The Delhi government has issued a stringent advisory against the illegal killing and sacrifice of cows, calves, camels and other prohibited animals during Bakrid (Eid al-Adha), which will be observed on June 7. The directive warns of strict legal action against violators, emphasising compliance with animal welfare laws.

The advisory, issued by the Development Department, highlights concerns over the mistreatment of animals during transportation and the rise of unauthorised slaughter points ahead of the festival. "It has been reported that during transportation of animals, the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals) Rules, 1978 are not after complied with by the owner/care takers and the animals and as a result thereof the animals suffer cruelty during transportation. Apart from this it is also feared that a lot of many illegal animal markets and illegal slaughtering may come up in different parts of Delhi, on the eve of Bakrid," the notice stated.

Under existing laws, slaughter is permitted only in licensed facilities within municipal areas. The advisory specifically cites the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994, which prohibits cow slaughter in the capital. Additionally, camels, excluded from India’s list of food animals, cannot be legally slaughtered for consumption.

Kapil Mishra, Delhi’s Development Minister, stressed zero tolerance for illegal practices. "The Delhi Government is committed to protecting our cultural and environmental heritage, of which animal welfare is an integral part," he was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Authorities have also been instructed to monitor and shut down illegal animal markets cropping up before the festival. In a notable move, the government banned the sharing of sacrificial ritual images or videos on social media to prevent the "promotion or glorification" of such activities, The Indian Express reported.

District magistrates, police commissioners and municipal bodies have been directed to enforce the rules rigorously. "All concerned authorities are requested to take suitable precautionary measures... and to take stringent action against offenders," the advisory stated.