Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya has written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, demanding strict enforcement of existing bans on open and illegal animal slaughter in residential areas during Bakri Eid. The letter, dated 4 November 2026, escalates a demand Somaiya says he has been pressing with the civic body for the past two years.

Key Demands in the Letter

Somaiya alleged that animals are routinely slaughtered illegally in housing societies, chawls, open squares, and public streets across Mumbai. He specifically named areas including Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, Mankhurd, Kurla, Malwani, Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar, Vikhroli Park Site, Ghatkopar (West), Mumbadevi, and Goldeval as locations where such incidents reportedly occur.

He further alleged that municipal officials often disregard complaints from residents and respond with what he described as 'irresponsible or negligent circulars.' Somaiya also alleged that certain individuals carry out open slaughter and issue threats to intimidate Hindu residents, calling for strict police action against such acts.

Proposed Alternative Arrangements

Rather than outright prohibition of religious sacrifice, Somaiya suggested that the BMC designate specific stalls, shops, or demarcated spaces within nearby markets as approved slaughter points. He argued there is no scarcity of suitable market spaces near residential localities across the city to facilitate such arrangements. He also called on the civic body to launch public awareness campaigns involving religious leaders and artists from the Muslim community to communicate that open-air slaughter during Bakri Eid will not be permitted.

Concerns Raised Over Environment and Public Health

Somaiya urged the Municipal Commissioner to review existing regulations and ensure their strict enforcement to address environmental pollution, foul water runoff, blood discharge, and what he described as intimidation in residential localities. He stressed that open slaughter in housing societies and chawls is impermissible under existing rules.

Social Media Appeal and Public Figures Named

Somaiya also took to social media platform X to publicly share details of the letter, calling for urgent administrative action against unauthorised open-air sacrifices. In his post, he called on prominent Bollywood personalities — specifically naming actors Diya Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Shabana Azmi — to issue public appeals raising awareness against pollution, filth, and cruelty associated with non-standardised animal slaughter during festival celebrations.

'Goats cannot be slaughtered in residential complexes, housing societies, and chawls on the occasion of Bakri Eid,' Somaiya stated, adding: 'I have requested the Mumbai Mayor, BMC, and Police Commissioner. We will NOT allow open slaughter in the name of religious ceremony.'

As Bakri Eid approaches, the BMC's response to Somaiya's demands and whether it will announce designated slaughter zones are being closely watched by residents' associations across the city.