Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar earlier this week instructed the police to prevent cow vigilantes from boarding or inspecting vehicles transporting animals. This directive comes in response to the ongoing strike by the Qureshi community, which has been protesting since July 22 against what they describe as an increase in harassment by cow vigilantes.
With over 10 lakh butchers from the Qureshi community in Maharashtra going on strike, cattle markets in Akluj and Sangola taluka of Solapur district have virtually stopped operations. It, in turn, has impacted farmers who have now started leaving their unproductive animals loose across the countryside.
Afsar Qureshi, member of the All India Jamiatul Quresh and the union of cattle traders, said their decision to stop trade was taken in the face of increased cow vigilantism. “Even with proper documentation, we face violence from self-declared cow vigilantes. There is no protection for us who are carrying out trade in the legal manner,” he said.
Quershi said the local police, at times, apply stringent sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999. “Bribes are asked of us for freeing animals despite the court’s ruling in our favour,” he said.
Afsar said when their members transport animals, the vigilantes stop vehicles on highways. “Even if we have proper papers, they confiscate our animals. Our vehicles are damaged intentionally,” he said.
The Qureshi community, Afsar said, is spread across the state with a population of over 25 lakh , with a sizable portion of them being involved in the trade of cattle and meat. Since 2015, when the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP–Shiv Sena government amended the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, to ban the slaughter of cow progeny, the trade in oxen and barren animals has completely collapsed, he said. Afsar noted that this single action has put over 5 lakh traditional butchers out of business.
He said cattle traders are easy targets for many. “When we are transporting the animals, many cow vigilantes frame us in false cases. They impound our vehicles and take away our animals. By the time we get court orders, we have lost business,” he said.
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Afsar said that while the Constitution has assured the right to livelihood, in the present environment, they are not allowed to practice the same. Senior cabinet leaders have called for action against cattle traders. Afsar said almost everyone associated with the cattle trade is targeted because of their religion, with little support from anyone.
Currently, this strike has severely impacted the operations of cattle markets that handle animals for slaughter. In the cattle market located in Akluj taluka of Solapur, farmers would typically bring their non-productive male buffaloes for sale every Monday.
Rajendra Kakade, secretary of the market, said the market saw business of around Rs 50 lakh on Mondays. “Around 400-500 animals are sold with traders coming from every corner of the state,” he said.
The market has completely shut down since the strike, leaving many farmers with no choice but to leave their animals on the roads. Similarly, the market in Sangola, located in the Solapur district, has also seen all activities come to a standstill. “We hope for a quick resolution to the matter,” said Kakade.
