Cow Slaughter Act An Excuse To Harass Muslims: TDP V P

All India Jamiyatul Quresh president and Telugu Desam Party vice-president Mohammad Saleem on Sunday alleged that some communal elements were misusing the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act to target the Muslim community.

Addressing a press conference here, Saleem said that a majority of Muslims offer sacrificial oxen, male buffaloes, and goats on the occasion of Bakrid. However, the law enforcement authorities and some communal elements were misusing the provisions of the Cow Slaughter Act to target trucks transporting the animals. He said that the misuse of law has been causing huge losses to the Quresh community in the State. Further, he said that those bringing the cattle to the city were being beaten up by the police and members of Bajrang Dal and RSS.

Saleem said that on one hand, the cattle breeders were free to sell cows and calves, while the Quresh Community which purchased the calves was forced to face losses as the purchased stocks were being attached and send to Goshalas. He said that so far, more than 1200 animals had been illegally seized by the authorities. He demanded that the authorities stop harassing the Quresh Community, and provide the list of animals which could be slaughtered as per the existing laws.

The TDP leader also alleged that some communal elements were targeting the Deeni Madarsas in the city in the name of cow slaughter. He claimed that the cow slaughter was a false propaganda being carried out by some vested elements to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere. He threatened that the Jamiyatul Quresh would launch a massive agitation if the harassment was not stopped immediately.

Jamiyat's vice-president Hasham Qureshi, Secretary Mohammad Qasim Qureshi and Joint Secretary Abdul Khadeer were also present. (INN)