Tahreek Muslim Shabban may urge Muslims to skip large animal sacrifice on Bakrid
Synopsis
A Hyderabad-based Muslim organisation is publicly considering asking its community to skip large-animal Qurbani this Bakrid — not as concession, but as a calibrated response to Yogi Adityanath's cow-as-national-animal pitch and rising vigilante violence around livestock transport. The framing is striking: respect the faith of others, but flag the cost to farmers, many of them non-Muslim.
Key Takeaways
Mushtaq Malik , President of Tahreek Muslim Shabban , said on 4 June the group is weighing an appeal against large-animal sacrifice on Bakrid .
The move responds to UP CM Yogi Adityanath's remarks on declaring the cow as the national animal.
Malik said Qurbani is religiously important, but sacrificing a specific animal is not obligatory in Islam.
He alleged cow-vigilante incidents are hurting farmers — many from non-Muslim communities — who depend on livestock trade.
Final decision will follow consultations with Ulema and community representatives.
Mushtaq Malik, President of the Tahreek Muslim Shabban, on 4 June said his organisation is seriously weighing a proposal urging Muslims to refrain from sacrificing large animals during Eid al-Adha (Bakrid), responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks on demands to declare the cow as the national animal. Malik, speaking in Hyderabad, said no final call has been taken and consultations with Ulema and community representatives will precede any appeal.
Key Developments
Malik said the Tahreek Muslim Shabban — a socio-religious body focused on education and economic uplift of Muslim communities — will hold discussions with various Muslim organisations, religious scholars, and community representatives before arriving at a position. He indicated that the proposal is being framed against the backdrop of recurring tensions around cow protection and livestock transport.
What Mushtaq Malik Said
Referring to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's comments, Malik said religious and cultural beliefs of every individual and community deserve respect. ‘If a section of society regards the cow as a mother, it is a matter of personal faith,' he noted, adding that referring to any being as a ‘mother' or ‘father' is rooted in personal belief and should not become a subject of conflict.
Malik emphasised that while Qurbani is an important religious tradition in Islam, the sacrifice of any particular animal is not an obligatory requirement — leaving, in his view, room for deliberation on the choice of animal.
Concerns Over Cow Vigilantism
Malik alleged that incidents of violence and unlawful activities in the name of cow protection have been reported from different parts of the country. He said disputes often arise over the transportation and trade of bulls, buffaloes, and other large animals, causing financial losses to farmers and livestock traders.
He pointed out that a large number of farmers who depend on livestock sales for their livelihood belong to non-Muslim communities, but alleged that vehicles transporting animals are often stopped soon after a sale is completed. Individuals identifying themselves as cow vigilantes or self-styled protectors of cows are reportedly involved, he claimed, alleging that such activities continue with the patronage of sections of the administration.
What Happens Next
Malik said an appeal urging Muslims to refrain from sacrificing large animals during Bakrid this year may be issued only if a broad consensus emerges from consultations with Ulema and community stakeholders. The final decision, he said, would weigh community interests, prevailing social circumstances, and the need to maintain communal harmony.
The eventual position from the Tahreek Muslim Shabban will be closely watched given the timing — just weeks ahead of Eid al-Adha — and the political charge around the cow-as-national-animal debate.
Point of View
Tahreek Muslim Shabban is pre-empting the usual polarising script around Bakrid. The harder question is whether such an appeal — if it materialises — will travel beyond Hyderabad, given that Qurbani decisions are deeply local and Ulema opinion is far from uniform. The deeper subtext is the normalisation of vigilante pressure shaping religious practice, which deserves scrutiny regardless of where one stands on the cow debate.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Tahreek Muslim Shabban proposed for Bakrid?
The organisation is considering urging Muslims to refrain from sacrificing large animals such as bulls and buffaloes during Eid al-Adha this year. President Mushtaq Malik said the proposal is still under discussion and a final call will be taken after consulting Ulema and Muslim community representatives.
Why is the group considering this appeal now?
The proposal follows Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks on demands to declare the cow as the national animal, alongside reports of vigilante violence linked to livestock transport. Malik said respecting others' religious sentiments and protecting livestock traders — many of them non-Muslim — are key considerations.
Is sacrificing a large animal religiously mandatory in Islam?
According to Mushtaq Malik, Qurbani is an important religious tradition, but the sacrifice of any particular animal is not an obligatory requirement in Islam. He said this leaves scope for deliberation on whether smaller animals can be chosen instead.
Has a final decision been taken?
No final decision has been announced. Malik said extensive consultations with Muslim organisations, religious scholars, and responsible community members will be held before any appeal is issued.
What concerns did Malik raise about cow vigilantism?
Malik alleged that self-styled cow protectors have been involved in violence and unlawful stoppages of vehicles transporting livestock, often after legitimate sales. He claimed such activities continue with the patronage of sections of the administration and cause financial losses to farmers across communities.
