Patna, Nov 2 :He has been sheltering pigs out of official compulsion. But a Muslim veterinarian in Bihar now finds himself ostracised by friends and family alike as the animal is considered 'napak' (impure) in Islam.

So much so that Alam Azad, a senior veterinary officer in Kishanganj district, 300 km from here, now fears that fellow Muslims may not even allow him to go on the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year.

"I have been ostracised for giving shelter to pigs. I tried to convince them but failed. No one is ready to understand my predicament," said Azad, who has kept 107 pigs in a bamboo enclosure outside his official residence for over 45 days to produce them in court as "evidence".

Azad, who is in his 50s, told IANS he was helpless and upset that neither his Muslims friends nor his own family was ready to understand his plight.

"How can I free the pigs when they are evidence against arrested smugglers? It is my official duty to look after them," he said.

Azad has been looking after the pigs at his own cost since the time they were confiscated while being smuggled to Nepal Sep 16. He has been spending Rs.500 daily on animal feed and on employees who look after them.

Till date, Azad has spent over Rs.32,000 from his own pocket on the animals. "I have not been paid a single rupee by the district administration," he said.

"I have no option but to keep them in safe custody and produce them in court," said Azad.

Official sources said an animal husbandry officer had raided Belwa village in Kishanganj town near the Nepal border and confiscated the pigs that were being taken for sale. The officer said the pigs were being tortured. The animals were confiscated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Police accompanying the official also arrested two alleged smugglers.

Sources in the Kishanganj district administration said the police had refused to keep the pigs on the grounds that there was no shelter for them. Local cowshed owners also refused to keep them, fearing they would infect the cows and dirty the place.

Azad is now worried over whether he will be able to catch a flight to Jeddah Nov 11 and go on a Haj pilgrimage.

"Some members of my community have said they will not allow me to go on Haj as I have given shelter to pigs," he said.

He is now banking on district officials who have promised to help him by arranging another shelter for the pigs.

(IANS)

Comment

Comments...

This is a touching tale of contradictions.

I am not expert on any religion and I could be excused for writing anything that affects any body's religious sentiments.

What my understanding is that no religion would teach betraying his/ her allegiance to the truth. People who are empowered to help upheld the law do service to the people and in effect serve the God.

I would like some one who has knowledge of religion to please come forward and enlighten us on this issue. It is a minor issue but it touches the heart of honesty, integrity, humanity and religiosity. These issues cant perhaps be decided by mind and intellect. Nevertheless, views from a more religiously enlightened person would certainly educate a lot of readers of Bihar Times.


In this age of religious fanaticism it is very important people who have deeper and better understanding of religion express their view about this news.

Finally I praise the Bihar Times team to publish such an article that potentially forces readers to look deep into their conscience.
May I also suggest that the name of the people commenting on this issue may not be printed under the comment (only Initials perhaps would be enough).

With best wishes
A Bihari who respects all faiths