Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar. File photo
| Photo Credit: ANI

 After Maharashtra Goseva Ayog’s circular on the ban on holding livestock market from June 3 to June 8, 2025, ahead of Bakri-Eid on June 7, members of cattle market committee have raised concerns over the financial crisis they will incur during the period. Most cattle rearers are daily wager farmers who look forward to making good income around the time.  

The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, a Government of Maharashtra’s commission for the welfare of indigenous cows, issued a circular on May 27, 2025, to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in the State that said that in a meeting held on May 14, 2025, it has been decided that while celebrating Bakri Eid festival 2025 in the State, Maharashtra Animal Protection Act 1976 and Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act 1995 (Amendment 4 March 2015) should be implemented. The act prohibits the slaughter of bulls and bullocks in addition to cows, and includes provisions regarding transport, sale, and possession of these animals, regardless of their age or health.  

The circular read, “For this festival (Bakri Eid), a large number of animals will be slaughtered/sacrificed. Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act 1995 (Amendment 4 March 2015) has implemented a complete ban on cow slaughter in the State. Section 5A of this Act prohibits the slaughter of cattle, the sale of cattle for slaughter, the sale of cattle for slaughter, the purchase and sale of cattle for slaughter, the sale of cattle for slaughter, the sale of cattle for slaughter, and the sale of cattle slaughtered outside the State.” 

The circular informed the APMCs that the commission will ensure that no cattle markets will be held in the villages of any district from June 3, 2025, to June 8, 2025, so that there will be no violation of the Act due to the slaughter of cattle.  

Veteran politician and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi founder Prakash Ambedkar told The Hindu that the members of the cattle market committee have reached out to them seeking their guidance to oppose the circular. “We strongly oppose this circular; we are in the process of challenging it. The State has already banned cow slaughter but banning the entire market on days when the sale is expected is a harsh step against the daily wage farmers and a chain of people who depend on it. This is the first time in Maharashtra we have seen such a circular. Who will compensate for the loss so many are going to face due to this circular?” 

Mr. Ambedkar further questioned the committee’s authority over issuing the circular. “Maharashtra Goseva Aayog does not have the powers to issue such a circulars or orders to the market committees, it should come from the Department of Animal Husbandry.” 

Lasalgaon APMC’s secretary, Narendra Wadhavne said that such an order has never come in the past, but they will have to abide by the circular and follow the instructions. “There is no ban on sheep or goats but since the market is asked to be shut during those days, many are planning to purchase in advance. This will also interrupt the Bakri Eid rituals of people, which involves animal sacrifice, primarily goat or sheep.”