Facing relentless harassment from vigilante groups, over 10 lakh Qureshi butchers in Maharashtra shut down cattle markets
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI – For more than a month now, the Qureshi community’s butchers in Maharashtra have been protesting against self-styled “gau rkhashaks” (cow vigilantes) whose unchecked actions have brought their livelihoods to the brink. The widespread harassment and violence meted out by these groups have forced closure of cattle markets in Akluj and Sangola talukas of Solapur district, crippling the meat trade and pushing farmers to abandon their cattle on roads.
The Maharashtra government, facing mounting pressure and growing economic losses, has been compelled to take a stand. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed police authorities to halt the vigilantes from stopping cattle transport, a move seen as bowing down to the demands of the butchers.
Afsar Qureshi, spokesperson for the All India Jamiat-e-Qureshi and a member of the Cattle Traders’ Committee, spoke candidly about the challenges faced by the butchers: “Despite having all the proper documents, our vehicles and cattle are stopped by these self-appointed cow protectors. More often than not they resort to violence. Even the police occasionally apply the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act provisions against us. Despite court rulings in our favour, we are asked for bribes to get our cattle released.”
He further added, “The Qureshi community, with over 2.5 lakh people engaged in the cattle and meat business in Maharashtra, has been pushed into an impossible situation. The 2015 amendment to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act by the previous BJP-Shiv Sena government banned cow slaughter, devastating the trade and putting over five lakh traditional butchers out of work. Now, on top of legal restrictions, we face harassment by vigilantes and a lack of government support.”
The economic consequences are severe. The cattle market in Akluj, a key trade centre in Solapur, once had a turnover of approximately Rs 50 lakh every Monday and saw around 400 to 500 cattle brought in from across the state. Rajendra Kakde, the market secretary, stated, “The market has been completely shut since the protests began. Farmers are not able to sell their unproductive bulls. As a result, many have abandoned cattle on the roads.”
Sangola market too remains closed, with similar reports of distress. The disruption has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s cattle and meat industry, estimated to be worth Rs 300 crore a month, bringing it to a near standstill. The shortage has also affected meat supplies to neighbouring states like Goa, where daily availability has dropped from twenty tonnes to just a fraction of that.
Consumers are paying the price for this crisis. Meat prices have increased by nearly 20%, with bone-in meat costing Rs 400 to 420 per kg and boneless meat reaching Rs 500 per kg. Alongside meat, everyday vegetable prices have surged sharply, squeezing household budgets.
Ayesha Ansari of Mohammadi Palace in Madanpura expressed her dismay. “Due to the beef shortage caused by the butchers’ protest, prices have skyrocketed. Meat that used to cost Rs 350 per kg is now being sold for Rs 450 to 500. Vegetables like tomatoes, garlic, and ginger have also become very expensive. Families are cutting back on spending due to this inflation.”
Saeed Shakeel Qureshi, a resident of Dongri, said, “Vegetable prices have doubled in the past weeks. Tomatoes are now Rs 80 per kg, forcing me to reduce consumption. Meat prices are also up, and many meat shops have closed because of supply issues.”
Shahnaz Chauhan, a school peon from Malad East, added, “With my limited income, meeting household needs has become very hard. The sudden rise in prices, especially of tomatoes, is difficult to handle.”
The vegetable price surge is partly due to poor crop production. Heavy rains in April and May damaged tomato cultivation across Maharashtra and neighbouring states. Tomato supply has dropped by 30%, with prices expected to remain high until August end.
Despite months of protests and economic disruption, the Maharashtra government’s response had been slow. Only after the strike affected millions and the economy faced losses estimated above Rs 460 crore monthly, did Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instruct police to stop vigilantes from harassing cattle traders.
However, the Qureshi community demands more than just instructions — they want enforceable legal protection to end harassment based on their religious identity and occupation.
“We have no option but to continue the protest until the government ensures our safety and right to work,” said Afsar Qureshi. “Our constitutional rights are being ignored.”
The ongoing harassment of the Qureshi butchers reveals an alarming trend of targeting communities based on religion. The rise of vigilante groups has created a climate of fear and hostility, where constitutional rights and legal trade are being ignored under the guise of cow protection.
Legal restrictions introduced in 2015 compounded by extra-legal actions by vigilantes have devastated traditional livelihoods. The government’s failure to protect butchers, who are predominantly Muslim, raises serious concerns about equal treatment under the law.
The strike’s ripple effects extend beyond economics. Farmers forced to abandon cattle face losses, meat scarcity has pushed prices out of reach for many, and rising vegetable costs have increased household distress.
The poor and middle classes are forced to cut back on essentials. The protest highlights the difficult balancing act between religious sentiments and the economic rights of minority communities.
For now, the butchers remain firm. The closure of cattle markets and ongoing strike show their determination to demand justice. The government’s next steps will be crucial in preventing further economic loss and restoring social harmony.
Only clear legal protection and an end to vigilante harassment will ensure that Maharashtra’s Qureshi butchers can work without fear, farmers can sell their cattle, and consumers can afford their food.
