Karnataka Dairy Farmers Protest After Muslim Groups Boycott Bakrid Cattle Purchase Over Right Wing Intimidation
Hassan, Karnataka: Tension gripped the weekly cattle fair in Karnataka’s Hassan district Tuesday after local Muslim organisations announced a boycott of purchasing animals for slaughter ahead of the Bakrid (Eid Al Adha) festival.
The Muslim groups took the decision after alleged local authorities and right-wing activists intercepted 11 vehicles transporting livestock, seizing the animals and diverting them to cow shelters.
The decision caused anxiety among local dairy farmers who threatened to march their cattle directly to the deputy commissioner’s office if their livelihoods were affected.
Anticipating high festive demand, hundreds of farmers from surrounding districts had brought cattle at the Hassan weekly market, only to find themselves without buyers, affecting their livelihood and markets. The season is a critical opportunity to liquidate unproductive cattle and fund upcoming crop cycles for the farmers.
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Under the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, the slaughter of cows, calves, bullocks, and bulls is entirely prohibited regardless of age. Notably, the law permits the slaughter of buffaloes if the animal is above 13 years of age and has been officially certified by a competent authority as permanently fit for nothing other than disposal.
