Mohammed Sufiyan (25), a licensed cattle trader in Washim district of Maharashtra, says he was shocked when his buffaloes were detained by “gau rakshaks with the help of the local police” in May, while being shifted from Badnera in Amravati district to Washim.
“I received a court order and paid ₹65,000 as khavati [maintenance payment for animals in custody], but I am yet to get my buffaloes back,” says Mr. Sufiyan, adding that cow vigilantes had obtained a stay order, and a hearing is scheduled in August. Mr. Sufiyan and his father are licensed traders who buy and sell cattle for a living. “I may have to pay more depending on how the August 11 hearing goes. I cannot even think of the loss I have to bear. It makes no sense to continue in this business,” said Mr. Sufiyan.
Mr. Sufiyan is not in the slaughter business, but says he still faces the squeeze. The situation is worse for several other members of the Muslim Qureshi community dealing in buffalo and other bovine meat, be it traders or butchers, who have allegedly been harassed by cow vigilante groups, including members of the Bajrang Dal. The harassment has lasted for over a decade now, they allege.
According to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2015, a fitness certificate from a veterinary doctor is required for slaughtering buffaloes, certifying that the buffalo is “unfit” for milking and not pregnant. However, community members say gau rakshak groups “harass them” even though they follow the law.
Condemning the violent attacks on cattle and meat traders and transporters, and the heavy losses and trauma caused by such attacks, members of the Qureshi community have staged protests across Maharashtra. They have also announced an indefinite boycott of cattle trade from Monday (July 21, 2025). “Some of the traders have already stopped dealing in cattle; however, formally, we are launching a complete boycott in Maharashtra from July 21,” said Shabir Qureshi of the All India Jamiatul Quresh (AIJQ), a traders’ union.
A delegation of the traders’ body also met Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam and Director-General of Police Rashmi Shukla, seeking protection from the self-proclaimed gau rakshaks. “Both have given us oral assurance that action will be taken as per law,“ claimed Abdul Sadiq Qureshi, Vidharba chief of the AIJQ.
In a letter to the DGP on July 2, the AIJQ highlighted “harassment” and “loss of life and property” suffered by those who transport animals within Maharashtra and requested that “police officers” in the respective jurisdictions be directed to remain “extra-vigilant and control harassment” of the community.
The community also says atrocities had increased after the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976 was amended in March 2015, prohibiting the slaughter of cows, bulls, oxen, and bullocks.
Citing the amended law, AIJQ president Mohammed Arif Chowdhary said in the letter, “Under Section 5A of the said Act, there is no restriction for transport of animals such as goats, sheep, buffaloes and other bovines within the State, including for purposes of being butchered.”
Shiraj Qureshi, a trader in Aurangabad, said traders were being looted in the guise of cow protection. “They stop vehicles carrying cattle, beat drivers, and with the help of the police, forcibly seize our cattle,” said Mr. Shiraj Qureshi, adding, “You will find hundreds of such cases. The police have to intervene and provide us protection.”
Some of the Qureshi community’s demands include protection for legal animal traders; the prohibition of illegal interference and harassment; accountability for inaction of the police and administration; ensuring smooth operation of slaughter houses; and ending violence against the community on religious grounds.
The AIJQ has organised meetings with members in several regions including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and western Maharashtra. Shabir Qureshi claimed at least three lakh traders will be affected by the boycott, but said they were “left with no choice”.
“The boycott will also impact all farmers, as they depend on the Qureshi community to sell aged animals and buy new ones,” said Amravati-based trader Shaikh Afsar, adding buying and selling cattle is part of the farming ecosystem, which will be disturbed by the boycott.
Published – July 20, 2025 09:09 pm IST
