The beef ban in Maharashtra has forced many Muslim families to send their contribution for poor people to states where there is no beef ban.
The beef ban in Maharashtra has forced many Muslim families to send their contribution for poor people to states where there is no beef ban. Those connected with the beef business said the ban has not only affected the fulfilment of obligations but also resulted in the poor families, both Muslims and others, being denied the opportunity to consume the nutrient rich fare for free.
Farouq Dhala, a businessman from Mahim, said Muslims offering a sacrifice has to make three parts of the meat, of which one remains for consumption of the family, the second part is for relatives and neighbours, and the third is offered to the poor. “Previously, people used to contribute the cost of a third part of their sacrifice in cash to organisations that undertook sacrificing of oxen and bullocks. The meat was then distributed among the poor. However, due to the beef ban, they do not undertake this exercise anymore, and so we have to send our contributions to other states,” said Mr Dhala.
Haji Pitalwala from Andheri said there was no option but to send the contributions to states such as Karnataka, where there was no beef ban. “The poor in Maharashtra are the most affected as they used to derive important nutrients even if once a year through the sacrificial meat they got during Eid-ul-Zuha. The high court has allowed beef to be brought in for consumption from other states but such beef can rot and so no one bothers,” said Mr Pitalwala.
A former beef businessman Rizwan Qureshi who is also a member of the Shramik Sangh, said the ban had left flourishing families impoverished ,with many resorting to alternative professions to sustain themselves. “Many families have deserted the business due to lack of proper rehabilitation of the government,” said Mr Qureshi.
