Maulana Badruddin Ajmal has appealed to Muslims in Assam not to slaughter cows during Eid al-Adha, popularly known as ‘Bakrid’.

What he said: AIUDF founder Ajmal issued the appeal on the grounds that cow slaughter hurts the sentiments of the followers of Sanatana Dharma.

• He said Islam does not mandate slaughter of cows and that other animals can be offered for qurbani on the occasion.

• Citing that Hindus revere the cow, Ajmal said he was making this “strong appeal” to Muslims to promote communal harmony.

• He added that the Darul Uloom Deoband, the prime Sunni Islamic seminary in the world, had issued a similar appeal a couple of years ago.

Change of heart? Ajmal had distributed cows for qurbani to Muslims until last year. His appeal is a result of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021.

• The Act was passed by the state assembly on 13 August 2021 and came into force immediately. Since Eid al-Adha fell on 20 July last year, Muslims in Assam were able to sacrifice cows.

• Ajmal’s appeal is redundant because the law prohibits cow slaughter in any part of Assam anyway.

• His appeal is also not aimed at promoting religious harmony, but issued solely to prevent Muslims from being prosecuted under the Act.

• Ajmal has made a virtue out of a necessity, but many innocently or with propaganda are lauding his gesture as an example of secularism.

What the Act says: The Act bans the sale or offer of beef or beef products in any area "predominantly inhabited" by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and other "non-beef-eating communities."

• The ban is also within a 5-km radius of a mandir, satra (Vaishnavite religious institution), gurudwara, and place of worship or religious institution belonging to non-beef-eating communities.

• The anti-cow slaughter legislation lays down stiff penalties for violations: jail terms ranging from three to eight years and fines from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

• All offences under the Act are cognisable and non-bailable. The Act prescribes double penalty — jail term and fine — for repeat offenders.

Assam CM's role: Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that the bill would promote communal harmony. He cited crime statistics that the ban on cow slaughter can preclude clashes between the communities.

• The Assam government is gearing up to apprehend and prosecute violators of the Act. So, some Muslims would have found themselves behind bars after sacrificing cows.

• The state has been strict about detecting and punishing those who violate the law.

Bottom line: Sarma needs to be credited for the prevention of cow ‘sacrifice’ during Eid al-Adha this year. Ajmal’s appeal is redundant.