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| Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar addresses a meeting regarding development works in Akola and Washim districts. |
Mumbai, Tamsil Shahezad Khan - Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla to issue a statewide circular prohibiting cow vigilantes from checking livestock transport vehicles, following a meeting with representatives from the Qureshi community on Wednesday.
The directive comes after the Qureshi community, traditionally associated with the meat trade and an integral part of Maharashtra's agriculture-based economy, raised concerns about harassment and violence by unauthorized gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes).
"No injustice will be allowed to be done to the traders of this community and the farmers who transport animals," Pawar said during the meeting, according to an official statement from the Deputy CM's office.
Community Demands Action Against Illegal Vigilantes
In a memorandum submitted to Pawar, the Qureshi community delegation outlined several key demands:
- A ban on illegal gau rakshaks
- Protection for transporting legally allowed animals
- Withdrawal of false cases
- Reduction in restrictions on transport licenses
The community highlighted the severe impact of vigilante activities on their livelihoods and safety. "The violent acts against the traders from Qureshi community and farmers who transport legally allowed animals has led to many losing their lives. The community is forced to call for a strike," the delegation stated in their letter to Pawar.
Legal Transport Under Threat
NCP MLA Sana Shaikh, who attended the meeting, emphasized that the delegation's primary demand was to "not allow private individuals to check vehicles." She was joined by NCP MLC Sanjay Khodke, who noted that "anti-social elements" have increasingly harassed legitimate animal transporters.
"As per the law, only police should inspect the vehicles. Despite this clarity, the menace is growing and it needs to be tackled," Khodke said.
The community warned that continued vigilante interference would affect not only their traditional trade but also impact farmers who depend on animal buyers. They noted that transportation restrictions have already increased significantly following the 2015 ban on cow slaughter, and current vigilante actions are affecting the legal transport of animals including buffaloes.
Police Circular to Be Issued
According to sources present at Wednesday's meeting, Pawar directed DGP Shukla to issue a circular across all districts. "The circular will ask police authorities to ensure that no private individual will have any right to check the vehicles transporting animals," said an official present at the meeting.
Despite attempts to contact DGP Shukla for comment, she was not available for response.
Federal Consultation Sought
During the meeting, Pawar also reached out to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to discuss the transportation difficulties faced by the community. He requested Gadkari to meet with the Qureshi delegation and consider necessary changes to laws governing animal transportation.
The move represents a significant intervention by the state government to address ongoing tensions between traditional livestock traders and vigilante groups, while attempting to balance legal animal transportation with law enforcement protocols.
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