The Bombay high court on Tuesday disposed of two petitions seeking directions to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to produce space for religious sacrifice of water buffaloes at Deonar Abattoir in Mumbai on Bakrid, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Public health is above religion. This has been done keeping in mind prevailing circumstances. This can't be in step with wishes of individuals. Otherwise administration won't be able to manage," a Bench headed by justice Dipankar Datta remarked before getting rid of the petition.
Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare, appearing for BMC, informed the Court that a circular dated July 19, 2021 had been issued regarding the Deonar Abbattoir in respect of the activities, programmes and festivities connected with Bakrid to be celebrated between July 21-23
The circular stated that the slaughterhouse are going to be open from 6 am to 6 pm on these dates which at the most, 300 buffaloes are going to be permitted to be slaughtered per day.
Petitioners Al-Quarish Human Welfare Association and every one India Jamiatul Quresh, however, requested the Court to extend the permit within the slaughterhouse from 300 to 700 animals per day.
They argued that before the circular had been issued, people had already made online purchases of the cattle and if those numbers were included, then the entire number of animals for slaughtering would cross 1,000, which can be permitted.
Refusing to interfere with the circular, the Court held that the grievance of the petitioners regarding an area for slaughtering animals was sorted.
The Court also expressed hope that the civic authorities will make sure the true and proper implementation of the circular keeping in mind the protocols for handling the pandemic