The Constitution is amendable, Islam is not, says Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi after the restriction was imposed over the celebration of Eid-ul-Azha (Bakrid) by Maharastra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
This decision has angered Muslim leaders in Maharashtra who are part of the Maha Aghadi. The Maharashtra CM had appealed to the Muslim community to celebrate Bakrid in a low-key and in a symbolic manner.
Thackeray had called on the people to perform a symbolic “Qurbani” (killing of animals) due to the prevailing conditions caused due to COVID-19 and considering the lockdown norms and containment zone restrictions.
“While COVID-19 cases are spreading daily, we are making all attempts to prevent the same. In the last four months, festivals of all religions were celebrated in a low-key manner. Similarly, Bakrid should also be celebrated in a low-key manner, symbolic if possible, by following all measures,” Thackeray said.
The above statement did not go well with Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi who said “Desh ka Samvidhan me hamesha amendment hota rehta hai lekin Islam ke samvidhan me amendment nahi hai…Qurbani symbolic nahi ho sakta (Indian Constitution can be amended, Islamic Constitution cannot. Qurbani can’t be symbolic)”.
It must be noted that the Maharastra state government had given directions to Hindus how to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi but the tone of Uddhav Thackeray was lot more conciliatory towards the Muslims. State observers believe that the Uddhav Thackeray led government is in the hands of Sharad Pawar.
Abu Asim Azmi has a history of making incendiary statements over the years and this time around he has threatened that his party will hold a protest in Mumbai against the guidelines by the State Government on restrictions imposed over the upcoming Bakrid festival.
The government of Maharashtra with prudence have asked Muslims to offer prayers at home and purchase sacrificial animals online or over the phone. The guidelines also called for the symbolic celebration of Bakri Eid.