Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand has voiced serious concerns over reports that some individuals may be sacrificing cows during Bakrid to provoke Hindu sentiments. He warned that such acts, if true, could have far-reaching consequences for communal harmony.
Speaking to the media in Varanasi, the religious leader questioned the justification behind animal sacrifice practices that allegedly target Hindu beliefs. “Gau Mata (the cow) holds a sacred place in the Hindu faith, and sacrificing her under the guise of religious tradition is not acceptable,” he said. He urged local police and administration to ensure that no cow sacrifices are carried out anywhere.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand cautioned that public animal sacrifices could disrupt the spirit of mutual respect between communities. “If such acts are carried out openly, it could damage the long-standing tradition of brotherhood in this country,” he added.
Religious Leaders Unite to Oppose Public Slaughter in Varanasi
In a related development, a large gathering of religious leaders and scholars convened at the Patalpuri Math in Varanasi. The session began with a recital of the Hanuman Chalisa and was followed by a public address from Jagadguru Balakadevaacharya.
Speaking to ABP News, Balakadevaacharya emphasized the spiritual and environmental importance of Varanasi. “This ancient city, crisscrossed by sacred rivers, cannot afford to have animal blood flowing into its waters during religious festivals,” he stated. “Such acts not only violate spiritual sanctity but also harm the environment. We strongly oppose any public slaughter of animals, especially during festivals.”
He also added that the area between the Varuna and Assi rivers, regarded as particularly sacred, should be kept free from such practices under any circumstances.
‘Even Mecca Prohibits Public Slaughter Near Its Holy Sites’ – BHU Professor
Professor Rajeev Srivastava, a historian from Banaras Hindu University, echoed these sentiments. Referring to international practices, he said, “Even in Islam’s holiest site, Mecca-Medina, there is a strict ban on animal sacrifice within an eight-kilometer radius. Likewise, the Vatican City maintains rigorous cleanliness protocols to uphold religious sanctity.”
He emphasized that Varanasi, known as the spiritual capital of India, deserves the same respect. “Allowing public slaughter here would not only violate tradition but also threaten the ecological balance,” Prof. Srivastava noted. He reiterated the group’s collective appeal: no public animal sacrifice should be allowed in Varanasi during any festival.
Muslim Clerics Urge Peaceful Observance of Bakrid
Meanwhile, Muslim religious leaders have stepped forward to urge members of their community to celebrate Bakrid within the bounds of the law. A joint appeal was made, encouraging peaceful and lawful observance of the festival while respecting the sentiments of other communities.
