Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has issued an advisory ahead of Eid al-Adha, placing restrictions on animal sacrifice (qurbani) and offering namaz on roads.
The advisory, released on Thursday, states that qurbani must be carried out only in covered spaces or designated sheds, clearly prohibiting animal sacrifice on public roads or open spaces.
This move follows a similar directive issued earlier by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who banned namaz on streets and sacrifice at undesignated locations for Bakrid 2024.
According to MP Waqf Board, insecticide must be used after the sacrifice is done. The skinned meat must be transported in covered containers, and all waste should be disposed of in civic body bins.
Sacrificing animals that are legally prohibited remains strictly forbidden. The advisory also explicitly warns against uploading any videos of animal sacrifice on social media.
Regarding namaz, the board clarified that it should be offered only inside Masjids or Idgahs. Offering prayers on roads is not permitted under any circumstances. However, if there is a situation where road space is needed, devotees are required to coordinate with and get approval from the district administration, the advisory stated.
‘Animal sacrifice unjust’
Niyaz Khan, IAS, said, “Animal sacrifice is unjust.” He was reacting to the Waqf Board’s advisory regarding public sacrifices during Bakrid.
No precedent
Qazi Azmat Shah said, “Sacrifice was not made on road in MP. Similarly, namaz has never been offered on roads. But this time, Waqf Board tries to be in good books of top bosses so it has issued advisory.”
