A dispute over the construction of a temporary shed for keeping of sacrificial goats ahead of Bakri- Eid led to tension at a housing society in Mumbai’s Mira Road. At least three people sustained injuries in the chaos that erupted.
According to reports, residents of a housing society objected to building of a temporary shed for keeping of sacrificial goats ahead of Bakri-Eid. The members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal also joined the protest, escalating the situation.
Police sources reveal that around 12:50 am on Tuesday, a man approached the group gathered at the spot and allegedly asked about Nagnath Kamble, a local VHP functionary. When the protesters questioned him about his identity and why he was looking for Kamble, an argument broke out. During the confrontation, the man allegedly pulled out a knife and attacked those present, injuring several individuals, reportedly VHP members.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered based on the complaint of Harsh Singh, one of the injured persons. The accused was later detained and handed over to the police. The situation remained tense as VHP and Bajrang Dal workers assembled outside the society gate and recited the Hanuman Chalisa in protest, demanding strict action against the attacker.
In a separate development, police intervened after some protesters allegedly attempted to bring a pig to the society premises, claiming it was intended for a “Varaha Puja” as a symbolic protest against the presence of goats for sacrifice. Senior police officers, including the Divisional Commissioner of Police, rushed to the spot and held discussions with members of both groups to prevent the situation from worsening.
The incident soon triggered political reactions, with leaders from different parties weighing in on the controversy. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi said illegal qurbani should not be permitted and stressed that wherever sacrifice is allowed, it must take place in enclosed spaces and in accordance with official guidelines. “Since the Muslim community is in a minority, they should be helped. If leaders are making statements against state guidelines, action should be taken against them,” Azmi said.
Local Shiv Sena MLA and Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik appealed for calm, urging residents to respect the sentiments of all communities living together in housing societies. He also alleged that outsiders were attempting to provoke unrest.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and several BJP leaders have urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue a circular imposing a blanket ban on goat sacrifice in housing societies and chawls during Bakrid.
Ahead of the festival, the Maharashtra government has also directed police to take stringent action against cattle smugglers and illegal slaughterhouses, including invoking provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
