UP cop says ‘true Muslim’ won’t slaughter cows, backtracks after outcry
Rampur SP says he was making an appeal against acts that could hurt religious sentiments
Rampur superintendent of police Anil Kumar Singh Sisodia has courted controversy by saying that a “true Muslim” cannot engage in cow slaughter or acts that hurt the religious sentiments of others, before later clarifying that his remarks had been misconstrued.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the police lines on Thursday, 6 August on a campaign against cow slaughter, Sisodia said such incidents had been reported in the Ganj and Swar police station areas during the month of Shravan.
“According to Islam, consuming the meat of any animal whose slaughter hurts the religious sentiments of another person is haram (forbidden). A true Muslim can never engage in such an act. Those who are involved in such activities are either not Muslims or are extremely despicable. Dealing with such people is my job,” he said on camera.
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The SP said he would hold meetings with mutawallis (waqf trustees) and clerics in Rampur and urge them to ensure that no such incidents take place. He also announced a verification drive covering people allegedly involved in cow slaughter cases over the past 10 years. Police stations have been directed to prepare dossiers on such individuals, including details of their bail conditions and guarantors.
The remarks subsequently drew attention, prompting Sisodia to issue a clarification. He said his comments had been made in response to questions from media representatives about cow slaughter.
“Darul Uloom Deoband has from time to time said that slaughtering animals whose killing hurts the religious sentiments of people of another faith is not appropriate and has described it as haram,” he said.
“I had made only a social and harmonious appeal in this context that during the Shravan month, if any such incidents take place which hurt the religious sentiments of another community, such acts should be avoided,” the SP said.
“My objective was only to maintain mutual brotherhood, social harmony and religious amity. My statement was not intended to hurt the sentiments of any religion, community or individual,” Sisodia added. “If my statement has been understood in any other sense or has hurt anyone’s sentiments, that was never my intention.”
With PTI inputs