Ban on camel slaughter: Upset Tamil Nadu Muslims to file appeal

Tamil Nadu could flash a proud tag of being the first Indian state to ban camel slaughter. But it is not over yet.

While animal rights activists’ feel victorious following the Madras high court order, a section of Muslims who oppose the order are all set to file an appeal soon. Amid the confusion between religious freedom and animal rights, this newspaper spoke to a cross-section of animal activists and religious members.

Arun Prasanna, petitioner in the case and an animal rights activist puts forth the laws — Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — both of which prohibit camel slaughter in the country.

According to him, camel population is fast depleting in the country as close to 2.5 lakhs are noted in 2016 against over four lakhs in 2014. Camels are sheltered in a dilapidated condition as there are no camel slaughterhouses in the city. Nose rings are pierced and are pulled to control their temper, he said.

Chief Imam of Makkah Masjid, Moulana Shamsudeen Qusami said: “Any animal — buffalo, camel, cow and goat could be slaughtered depending on the regional availability. Camel is not a South Indian animal and transporting it from North India is painful to the animal. I see no point in it as we have other animals.”

A few people from the community feel let down by the order and say it doesn’t uphold their religious beliefs. P.S.Hameed, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam said Quran, a universal guide supports camel slaughter. “It is no harassment as camel is brought to Tamil Nadu by walk as the animal could walk over 30 km a day. There is a deep history attached to it as Allah allowed the sacrifice of buffalo or goat or camel or cow when Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his child,” he said adding that an appeal would be filed soon.