This is an archive article published on July 20, 2021
Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha: No alternative to Deonar market on Bakrid, traders upset as heavy rain adds to misery
Mumbai's guardian minister Aslam Shaikh, however, said the state government had taken all requisite steps, and that traders as well as locals would not face any hurdle in buying and selling sacrificial animals this year.
THOUSANDS OF traders from Maharashtra and other states dealing in livestock are upset with the Maharashtra government, and claimed that it had “ignored and failed” to address their issues related to ritual sacrifice of livestock, such as goats and water buffaloes, despite raising them a month ago. Eid-ul-Adha will be observed on Wednesday.
Mumbai’s guardian minister Aslam Shaikh, however, said the state government had taken all requisite steps, and that traders as well as locals would not face any hurdle in buying and selling sacrificial animals this year.
Shahnawaz Thanawala, president of Bombay Mutton Dealers Association, said, “Unlike last year, the state government this year clarified 15 days ago that they will not allow any trader to enter Deonar market for the sale of livestock. About 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh animals can be brought here. Though this clarification helped us, we had requested the Deonar market to be opened with SOP in place, and limiting the number of animals brought here so that pandemic protocols are followed, but they ignored it. Further, for a month we have been asking them to provide us small and temporary markets across Mumbai for the sale of livestock, so that we don’t have to pay from our own pocket and Covid-19 rules can be monitored.”
“At Deonar market, we were paying Rs 100 to keep a single goat for a few days. Now, we have to pay several hundred rupees for each goat to accommodate them in private halls, godowns, compounds etc. Also, the purchasing power has gone down due to the pandemic. Hence, there is little or no profit margin and traders are facing economic losses. In absence of these measures, we have to pay extra to accommodate the animals for days and there will be crowding at these markets as the government will not monitor these places,” said Aslam Qureshi, president of All India Sheep and Goats Breeders and Dealers Association. Traders are also facing issues to keep their goats safe amid heavy rainfall. “Due to heavy rain, it becomes difficult to keep goats safe and proper accommodation is needed. Goats fear rain and it affects their health too. Hence, they cannot be kept in open places,” Thanawala said. All India Jamiatul Quresh has approached the HC with a PIL seeking to allow slaughter of water buffaloes at Deonar abattoir.
Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India.
Expertise and Experience
Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of:
Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages.
Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states.
Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering:
Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.
Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law.
Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in:
Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India.
Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More
