EID 2020: From symbolic sacrifice to poor finances, Eid-al-Adha lost its colour due to COVID

Indians across the country celebrated Eid-ul-fitr in May at their houses when the complete lockdown was imposed. Now that lockdown is a bit open at the time of Eid-al-Adha 2020 or Bakra Eid. The celebration is yet completely different from how it takes place, owing to multiple reasons.

In various parts of Uttar Pradesh, as per the directions by government praying at home is suggested. The Yogi Adityanath government has directed police officials in all districts to remain on the vigil and take note of even the smallest incident in their respective areas. Muslim clerics also has directed to avoid any gathering. However, islamic seminary from Deoband asked the yogi government to allow people to offer Namaz in Eidgahs and shifting the weekend lockdown on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha.

Like we mentioned the effects are not in one state but across India. Even though the lockdown is imposed in few states but there are no chances to carry out any prayers. Example being, the historic Mecca Masjid of Hydrabad. Maulana Hafeez Mohd Rizwan Qureshi, khateem, Mecca Masjid said the general public is not being allowed in the Masjid even after the relaxation of the lockdown.

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Apart from the prayer, Eid-al-Adha is celebrated where Kurbaani (sacrifice) of a cattle has been done. There is no surprise, this ceremony will almost be vanished this year due to COVID.

Various government has provided guidelines regarding this particular topic. For example in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath's government has completely banned transportation of meat and animal slaughter in the open. The Deoband seminary wrote to yogi's government. In order to request to lift the ban as well along with request to pray in Eidgah while following the norms of social distancing.

While in Maharashtra government urged the citizen to purchase the sacrificial animals online or through phone.

Eid-ul-adha is the festival to which various farmers and animal keepers look forward to in order to make substantial money. But due to heavy bans and norms the financial conditions of many of them has sinked even more. Even though handful amount of people have ordered the animals online. But cost of transportation is not really in their favour. In various states such as in Maharashtra cost of transportation of a single animal is high. So people started ordering together and the tempos have been transporting several animals at a time. However, these vehicles are being halted at the border and prevented from entering the State.

ALSO READ: UP Lockdown: Bakrid to be celebrated at home

Even though many state governments like that of Mamta Banerjee's in west Bengal. They have eased the weekend lockdown to allow people to celebrate. While following social distancing. Still, there are many necessary norms prevailing across the nation. There is not so much that could done, as festivities has to be sacrificed. Keeping rising number of COVID cases in mind.

As we are moving towards the end of the year. Various festivals are lined up. Including Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Diwali, Dusserah etc. There are questions arising on how the government will tackle the pandemic in the country.

Written by Iqra Razi, a Journalism graduate from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Amravati. She writes for Politics, Education and International affairs.

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