- Instructions should be issued to municipal officials to ensure strict compliance with the rules.
The festival of Bakrid is about to come and the Muslim community is busy preparing for it. Meanwhile, politics of open sacrifice has started in Mumbai. BJP leader and former MP Dr Kirit Somaiya has demanded from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the police administration to take strict action against the sacrifice of goats taking place in housing societies, chawls and open spaces across Mumbai on Bakrid and other occasions and has demanded a ban on it.
In this regard, Somaiya has written a letter to Mayor Ritu Tawde. He has given information about this letter through a post on social media platform X. In the letter, he has said that on the occasion of Bakrid, at some places, goats are being sacrificed in the open in violation of the rules.
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“Bakri” Goats cannot be slaughtered in residential complexes, housing societies and chawls on the occasion of Bakri Eid.
I have requested the Mumbai Mayor, BMC & Police Commissioner
We will NOT allow Open Slaughter in the Name of Religious Ceremony pic.twitter.com/PMsALxpCzf
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) May 17, 2026
What did Kirit Somaiya write in the letter?
He alleged that despite bans on this issue being imposed from time to time by the Municipal Corporation and the Council, rules are still being flouted in some areas. Somaiya, in his letter, has requested the Mayor to issue new and strict guidelines to the municipal authorities to ensure strict compliance of animal slaughter laws within the city limits ahead of the festival of Bakrid. He said that under the law, goats cannot be sacrificed or slaughtered near any settlement or residential area in Mumbai. Somaiya said in the letter that the Municipal Corporation should issue strict instructions to all ward offices and concerned officers in this matter.
Apart from this, through his letter he has requested that the administration should issue immediate instructions so that strict adherence to the rules of the Municipal Corporation can be ensured. Let us tell you that this year Bakrid is likely to be celebrated on 27 May 2026, but the final date depends on the sighting of the moon. In such a situation, with Bakrid approaching, this issue has once again come into the center of public discussion. Now all eyes are on what stand the city administration will take on this matter.