The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has enacted a resolution banning goats and the practice of Qurbani within housing society complexes, a move driven by past communal tensions and public health considerations. This decision, passed by a majority at the MBMC general body meeting, restricts the presence of goats in societies and mandates that Qurbani can only take place at sites approved by the civic body. While the Bombay High Court previously ruled against in-flat slaughter, this MBMC resolution represents a stricter approach. Opposition parties have questioned the blanket ban, suggesting that housing societies should retain decision-making autonomy if residents are in agreement. Permits are now required for any Qurbani structures, with non-compliance leading to fines and legal action.

The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has enacted a resolution banning goats and the practice of Qurbani within housing society complexes, a move driven by past communal tensions and public health considerations. This decision, passed by a majority at the MBMC general body meeting, restricts the presence of goats in societies and mandates that Qurbani can only take place at sites approved by the civic body. While the Bombay High Court previously ruled against in-flat slaughter, this MBMC resolution represents a stricter approach. Opposition parties have questioned the blanket ban, suggesting that housing societies should retain decision-making autonomy if residents are in agreement. Permits are now required for any Qurbani structures, with non-compliance leading to fines and legal action.

The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has enacted a resolution banning goats and the practice of Qurbani within housing society complexes, a move driven by past communal tensions and public health considerations. This decision, passed by a majority at the MBMC general body meeting, restricts the presence of goats in societies and mandates that Qurbani can only take place at sites approved by the civic body. While the Bombay High Court previously ruled against in-flat slaughter, this MBMC resolution represents a stricter approach. Opposition parties have questioned the blanket ban, suggesting that housing societies should retain decision-making autonomy if residents are in agreement. Permits are now required for any Qurbani structures, with non-compliance leading to fines and legal action.

The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has passed a resolution banning goats and the conduct of Qurbani in housing society complexes. The resolution, moved by the BJP, was passed with a majority at the general body meeting of MBMC.

A few months ago, communal tension had flared up in the western suburban municipal corporation over the issue of slaughter of goats in a housing society complex. A section of residents of a housing society had objected to the slaughter of goats for the sake of Qurbani on society premises. The issue had assumed significance after communal tension between Hindus and Jains and the Muslims over the goat slaughter in houses of housing societies. There had been instances when society-level disagreements had taken political and communal tones.

Now, it has been stipulated that the goats can not be brought into a housing society and Qurbani can take place only at the places designated by the civic body. According to The Indian Express, the move comes against a more nuanced legal position in Mumbai municipal corporation areas. The Bombay High Court in an interim order in 2019 restrained BMC from granting permission for slaughter inside residential flats citing hygiene and public health issues.

But that order did not impose a total ban on slaughter in housing society premises or community premises. The order stated that permission should not be ordinarily granted where an authorised slaughter facility or designated community space was available within one kilometre walking distance.

The Congress-led opposition in MBMC has questioned the blanket ban on slaughter. Anil Sawant, Congress corporator, said that a housing society should be allowed to take its own decision. If goats are brought into society premises a few days before Bakri Id and if the residents have no objection, then there should be no objection or ban, stated Sawant.

According to rules, permission will have to be sought from MBMC to erect Qurbani slaughter mandaps or tents; failure to do so will result in the imposition of a fine and criminal action.

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