Indian Judge Stays Order Limiting Sacrifices By Muslims On Bakri Eid

In India earlier this month, the Bombay High Court ruled that it is illegal to slaughter bulls that are less than 16 years old. (DNA India, Dec. 18.) Apparently the ruling was handed down in order to clarify the meaning of "calf" under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act of 1976. However yesterday DNA India reported that Justice S J Vazifdar has granted a stay of the ruling until January when the full court can hear a challenge by the State Minority Commission and the Beef Dealers' Welfare Association. The challengers argue that the slaughter ban unconstitutionally interferes with religious practices of the Muslim community. Muslims traditionally sacrifice a young goat or bull on Bakri Eid, the festival marking Abraham's finding of a lamb as a replacement for his son Ishmael who God had ordered Abraham to sacrifice. The stay will mean that young bulls will be available for Bakri Eid that this year falls on January 1, 2007. A bill to ban the slaughter of all calves, bulls and bullocks is pending in Maharashtra.