Eid-ul-Zuha (or Bakr-Id, as is commonly known) is turning out to be a costly affair for many a Muslim family; and mysterious, too.
Eid-ul-Zuha (or Bakr-Id, as is commonly known) is turning out to be a costly affair for many a Muslim family; and mysterious, too.
At least 120 sheep and goat bought by Bangaloreans for Bakr-Id from Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu and Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradesh have died of a mysterious condition overnight. This has sent the buyers into a tizzy after having wasted their monies on buying the livestock cheaper from outside the state than from markets within the city.
Up to 30 Muslim families from Chamarajpet, Basavanagudi, Mysore Road, Kamanahalli and adjoining areas in Bangalore, who decided to buy goats and sheep from Krishnagiri and Dharmavaram – as it would save them up to Rs3,000-Rs4,000 per animal than from within the city – were in for a shock when the sacrificial animals they had procured were found dead the very next morning.
Syed Amanullah, a real estate agent from Chamarjpet, told DNA said “Before buying the five sheep three days ago from Dharmavaram, we checked their health. But the next day, all five were dead after reaching Bangalore. Mine is not the only case. There are more then 30 people here whose sheep and goats bought from neighbouring states and districts have died mysteriously.”
Kutub Sheikh, a press owner in Chamarjpet, said “I saved close too Rs3,000 per sheep by buying four (a total of Rs24,000) from Krishnagiri. But what’s the use now that they have died?” Each of the buyer has spent Rs5,000-Rs6,000 per sheep or goat by travelling to Krishnagiri, Dharmavaram or Bannur (in Mysore district). The animals bought from Bangalore markets could have cost them at least Rs9,000–Rs10,000 per head.
The deaths have turned into a hotly argued issue on Friday evening as the aggrieved families were left with their pockets so much lighter with just two days to go for Bakr-Id (on November 7).
On Friday, the aggrieved buyers met breeders from the city in Chamarjpet to know the precise reason for the deaths that led to them losing their monies.
The breeders merely speculated that the deaths could be due to a sudden change in the weather. But this has not
been verified as such a trend was not generally observed before.
The buyers are now suspecting foul play, presuming that they have been taken for a ride as the sellers from the neighbouring states had not disclosed to them the nature of disease affecting the goats and sheep.
Not to be found penny-wise-pound-foolish, many goat/sheep buyers are now looking at the more expensive Bangalore market to buy the sacrificial animals for the festival. “I was to leave for Bannur tonight to purchase 10 sheep. But when I heard about these sudden deaths among the sheep and goats from neighbouring states and districts, I decided it was better to shell out a few more bucks for healthier livestock,” said Barkathullah Khan, a vegetable merchant on Mysore Road.
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