Campaigns against cow slaughter by Hindu activists witness increase in recent weeks

NEW DELHI: Campaigns against cow or cattle slaughter by Hindu activists have witnessed an increase in recent weeks, sometimes leading to arson and communal incidents, the Centre has warned states in an advisory sent three days ago ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid-Ul-Zuha festivals this month.

Ganesh Chaturti will be celebrated for a ten-day period from September 17-27. "Eid-Ul-Zuha or Bakrid (September 25) falling on Friday and shortly before immersion of Ganesh idol, will be celebrated with Namaz in Eidgahs, followed by customary sacrifices on the occasion. Campaigns against cow/cattle slaughter by Hindu activists have witnessed an increase in recent weeks with interception of cows/cattle transportation, sometimes leading to road-blockades, arson and communal incidents. In the past, sacrifice of cattle at public/non-traditional places has also provided the flash point for communal incidents," the Home Ministry has said in an advisory to all states on September 11, listing out precautionary measures that should be taken by states to avoid any trouble.

"During the festival (Ganesh Chaturti), provocative sloganeering,, especially near mosques and dargahs, installation of idols and observance of the festival at disputed places, processions through non-traditional routes and forcible collection of donations, eve-teasing etc. often trigger communal incidents/tensions. Besides, crowded pandals and immersion processions also remain soft targets for saboteurs. Special watch on pandals, procession routes, and venues of immersion would be desirable to prevent communal incidents, besides incidents of law and order," the Union Home Ministry has said in its advisory to states.