J&K separatists defy HC ban, call for beef consumption on Eid

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court order banning the sale of beef has irked the separatists and Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani has called for protest and a day-long strike in the Valley against the court’s decision on Friday.

Media reports on Thursday quoted Geelani as saying, “The high court’s decision is an interference into the matters of Muslims.”

“On Friday, protest will be held across the state against the decision. And on Saturday, complete shutdown will be observed in the Valley,’’ Hurriyat Conference, (G) spokesman said while quoting Geelani.

The separatist leader said the decision by court to ban sale of beef in the state has been taken without taking into the consideration the serious consequences it will have in the Muslim majority state.

“It is a politically motivated decision taken at the behest of BJP and RSS only to create communal violence in the state so that freedom movement of Kashmiri’s will be badly portrayed by India,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, National Front chairman and separatist leader Nayeem Khan asked people to slaughter only bovine animals on Eid ul Zuha.

“Muslims have to follow Shariah (Islamic Law) and not the dictations of any court, government or bureaucracy. Nobody on the earth can ask Muslims what they should eat. This decision has hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims,’’ he said adding that Muslims should only sacrifice bovine animals on Eid ul Zuha.

“Although consumption of beef is less in Kashmir, there are some areas where it’s consumed daily. So I see no reason why this practice should not continue,” separatist leader and the Valley’s head cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was quoted as saying.

“It’s nothing but a political gimmick,” he added.

The sharp reactions from the separatist leaders came shortly after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court imposed a ban on sale of beef in the state.

A division bench of the J&K HC passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation against cow slaughter.

The court also directed the state DGP to instruct local police officials to ensure that the ban is strictly imposed.

The court has also ordered the police to take strict action against those who violate the ban.