NEW DELHI — Every year, as Muslims across India celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Bakrid, attention largely remains focused on prayers, sacrifice rituals and political debates surrounding the festival. Television discussions, social media campaigns and statements by right-wing organisations often dominate headlines in the days leading up to the festival.
Yet behind the noise and controversy lies another story — one connected not only to faith but also to livelihoods, employment and the survival of one of India’s oldest industries.
Bakrid is not merely a religious occasion for millions of Indian Muslims. It is also one of the country’s largest seasonal economic activities, supporting farmers, cattle traders, transport workers, butchers, leather workers, tannery labourers and thousands of small businesses across cities, towns and villages.
Industry estimates and media reports suggest that the trade linked to Bakrid runs into thousands of crores every year. From the buying and selling of goats and sheep to transport, fodder, local markets, temporary stalls, leather collection and processing units, the festival creates economic activity on a massive scale.
According to estimates cited in business reports, nearly three crore goats and sheep are traded across India around Bakrid season. Traders say the total value of this market may cross Rs 10,000 crore when all associated activities are included.
For many poor families, especially in Muslim-majority working-class areas, the festival season becomes one of the most important periods of earning during the entire year.
Leather industry depends heavily on Bakrid season
People associated with India’s leather sector say Bakrid plays a major role in sustaining the industry because the animal hides collected after sacrifice become an important raw material for leather production.
India has historically been among the world’s major leather-producing countries. Cities such as Kanpur, Chennai, Kolkata and parts of Hyderabad have long depended on leather-related businesses for employment generation.
A large section of workers in this sector belongs to poor Muslim and Dalit communities who have been connected to tanning, processing and leather craftsmanship for generations.
Leather traders say Bakrid provides a sudden increase in the availability of raw hides, which helps factories continue production for months.
A leather businessman from Kanpur said the festival season is extremely important for the industry.
“Bakrid gives work to lakhs of people. From animal traders to transporters, from people who collect skins to workers in leather factories, everyone depends on this period. The hides collected during Bakrid help many units survive,” he said.
Another trader from Kolkata explained that even small leather workshops wait for Bakrid because it improves supply.
“The leather industry has already suffered due to restrictions, factory closures and falling exports. Bakrid season helps small businesses recover some losses,” he said.
Small traders say pressure and fear are increasing
Despite the economic importance of the festival, many traders say the atmosphere surrounding Bakrid has changed in recent years.
Several cattle and goat traders alleged that increasing vigilance by self-styled cow protection groups, strict transportation checks and political polarisation have created fear among people involved in the trade.
In many states, traders claim they now avoid travelling at night or transporting animals through certain routes because of fear of harassment or violence.
Some livestock sellers said they face repeated document verification demands even when carrying legal papers.
A goat trader from Lucknow said many small businessmen are slowly leaving the profession because of pressure and uncertainty.
“Earlier people travelled freely with animals before Bakrid. Now traders remain scared during transportation. Many poor people who depended on this work are suffering,” he said.
Another livestock seller from Patna claimed that the atmosphere affects prices and market confidence.
“When fear increases, transport becomes costly and customers also become hesitant. Poor traders suffer the most because they work on small margins,” he said.
Muslim workers say industry gives livelihood to poor families
People associated with the leather sector say the industry has historically supported economically weak sections of society.
Many workers involved in skin collection, cleaning, drying and leather preparation belong to communities that have worked in these sectors for decades.
In areas of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, entire neighbourhoods depend on leather-related work.
Workers say that during Bakrid, additional temporary jobs are created for daily wage labourers, loaders, drivers and local collectors.
A worker from a leather processing unit in Kanpur said many families wait for the season because it provides extra income.
“For outsiders this may look like only a festival, but for poor workers it is connected to survival. People earn money through transport, animal care, leather work and market activities,” he said.
He added that many labourers are already struggling because several tanneries have either reduced operations or shut down over recent years.
Political debates often overshadow economic realities
In recent years, Bakrid has increasingly become part of political and television debates.
Right-wing organisations in different states have often raised objections regarding animal sacrifice, transportation of cattle and public handling of animal remains.
In several places, local administrations have issued strict guidelines regarding sacrifice locations, disposal of remains and public gatherings.
While authorities say such steps are necessary for maintaining law and order and cleanliness, many Muslim organisations argue that excessive restrictions create fear among ordinary people trying to celebrate a religious festival peacefully.
Religious scholars and community leaders have repeatedly appealed to Muslims to follow rules, maintain hygiene and cooperate with local administrations during Bakrid.
At the same time, many social observers argue that public discussions rarely acknowledge the economic contribution linked to the festival.
A social researcher from Delhi said discussions around Bakrid often ignore the livelihoods connected to it.
“Millions of people benefit economically during this period. There are farmers who rear goats throughout the year, transport workers, market organisers and leather labourers. This economic side is rarely discussed seriously,” he said.
Farmers also depend on Bakrid market
The festival season is especially important for rural livestock farmers.
In many villages, small farmers rear goats and sheep throughout the year with the hope of earning profits during Bakrid.
Agricultural economists say goat-rearing has become a major support system for poor rural households because it requires limited investment compared to larger livestock farming.
Women in villages are also heavily involved in feeding and maintaining animals.
A farmer from rural Bihar said Bakrid sales often help families manage annual expenses.
“We use this money for children’s education, household expenses and loans. Many poor farmers survive because of Bakrid markets,” he said.
Livestock markets across several states witness huge crowds in the weeks before Eid-ul-Azha. Temporary animal markets emerge in cities and towns where traders arrive from different districts.
The business supports transport operators, fodder sellers, veterinarians and food vendors around these markets.
India’s leather exports and global market
India’s leather industry has historically contributed significantly to exports and employment.
According to trade bodies, Indian leather products are exported to Europe, the Middle East and several Asian countries.
The sector includes footwear, bags, jackets, sports goods and industrial leather products.
Industry representatives say raw hides collected during Bakrid become part of a larger supply chain that eventually reaches factories and export units.
However, traders say the industry has faced multiple challenges over the last decade, including environmental restrictions, factory closures, declining exports and political controversies surrounding cattle trade.
Some business owners argue that negative public narratives around the industry have also discouraged investment.
A leather exporter from Chennai said uncertainty has affected confidence in the sector.
“India once had a strong position in leather exports. But rising tensions and confusion around animal trade have hurt business sentiment,” he said.
Religious leaders call for peaceful celebrations
Muslim scholars and community organisations across India appealed to people to celebrate Bakrid peacefully and responsibly.
Several clerics advised Muslims to follow government rules regarding designated sacrifice areas and proper disposal methods.
Religious leaders also encouraged people to distribute meat among poor families, stressing that helping the needy remains an important part of Eid-ul-Azha.
An Islamic scholar from Delhi said the festival teaches sacrifice, compassion and social responsibility.
“Bakrid is not only about sacrifice of animals. It is also about helping the poor, sharing food and caring for society,” he said.
Community groups in different cities also organised cleanliness drives after sacrifice rituals to avoid inconvenience to local residents.
Experts warn against communalising livelihoods
Several academics and civil society voices warned against turning economic activities into communal controversies.
They argued that millions of ordinary workers connected to livestock and leather industries should not suffer because of political polarisation.
An economist studying informal labour markets said many affected workers belong to vulnerable communities.
“When economic sectors associated with minorities become politically sensitive, poor workers suffer first. The debate should focus on law, employment and rights instead of hatred,” he said.
Observers also pointed out that many non-Muslim communities are equally involved in livestock and leather businesses across India.
Transporters, traders, labourers and factory workers from multiple backgrounds participate in the industry.
Growing uncertainty among young workers
Young workers entering leather and livestock-related professions say they are increasingly uncertain about the future.
Some families that worked in leather processing for generations claim their children no longer want to join the trade because of social stigma and unstable income.
A young leather worker from Kanpur said many people now hesitate to openly identify with the profession.
“There is fear, social pressure and financial instability. Earlier people considered this honest work. Now many workers feel isolated,” he said.
Despite these difficulties, traders say Bakrid continues to remain a lifeline for thousands of businesses.
As markets reopened after Eid and workers returned to leather collection centres, many people connected to the trade expressed hope that the industry would survive despite growing challenges.
For millions of poor workers, Bakrid remains not only a matter of faith but also a season of economic survival, dignity and employment.
