'You may as well kill us': Human cost of India's meat 'ban' Published duration 30 March 2017

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Shakeel Ahmad has been selling meat since the 1970s and knows no other way of making a living

The government's crackdown on meat shops in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has left many traders and butchers without much work and money. The BBC's Vikas Pandey meets them in Allahabad city.

"I have no money since my shop shut two weeks ago. I don't know how to feed my children and aging parents. Is it because I am a Muslim, or a meat trader?" Shakeel Ahmad, 52, asks.

He is angry with the state's new chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, who opposes the slaughter and consumption of cows, considered sacred by India's Hindu majority.

Authorities have closed many slaughterhouses since Mr Adityanath's BJP party won the state elections earlier in the month. Small shops selling goat and chicken have also been forced to shut, despite the slaughter of these animals being legal.

Most butchers are Muslims and many suspect that they are being targeted unfairly. They allege that their businesses are being shut on technicalities. One meat traders association went on strike, alleging harassment by state authorities.

media caption The crackdown on "illegal" slaughterhouses is causing heartache in the state.

Mr Ahmad says he understands the crackdown on slaughterhouses which sell beef "because it was one of the BJP's campaign promises".

"But why punish small shop owners who sell goat and sheep meat? Most butchers like me earn daily, and don't have any other skill after being in the business for decades," he says.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Shakeel Ahmad's family of 10 members lives in a small two-room house

He adds that municipal authorities recently rejected his application to renew his licence.

"They want me to set up a waste disposal unit, but I don't have the money needed for it."

Mr Ahmad lives in a small house with nine other family members in a densely populated area, mostly inhabited by the Muslim Qureshi community.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Fatima Begum says she is running out of the medicine she needs, and has no money to buy any more

His mother, Fatima Begum, says that the community in this area has traditionally earned its livelihood through the meat trade.

"Men in this community don't have any other skill. We are already poor, and now we are not sure where the next meal is going to come from. They may as well kill us," she says.

Ms Begum says she needs regular medication because of her old age.

"I am running out of my medicines, but I haven't told this to my son because I don't want to add to his troubles," she says.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Husna Begum says she fears that her children's education may get affected

Mr Ahmad's wife, Husna Begum, is worried about her children's education.

"I want my children to get a good education and come out of poverty. If the government thinks meat shops are bad, then give us something else to do.

"Is it a crime to dream about a good future for your children?" she asks.

'I am scared'

A few blocks away, I meet Mohamed Shariq who has also shut his shop.

"I have the licence needed to run my shop, but I fear attacks from right-wing groups," he says.

Mr Shariq's fear is not unfounded.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Mohamed Shariq says he can't even sell chicken these days

Mr Shariq invites me to his house, and asks a question.

"Just look around. My house is already breaking apart. I have to feed 10 people. Is it fair to ban our only source of livelihood?"

His brother P Qureshi and other members of the family also join the conversation.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption A family of 10 members depends on P Qureshi's earnings

They are all worried about their future.

"I hope and pray that the chief minister understands our problems and stops people who are misusing his name. We know there is no official ban on slaughtering sheep and goats, but we are still scared," Mr Qureshi says.

Every house in this community has similar stories.

Abdul Qureshi, who ferries animals in his cycle rickshaw, says the crackdown seems so unreasonable because Hindus too eat meat.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Abdul Qureshi hasn't gone out to work for 10 days

"Most of the customers in this market are Hindus. Even the Indian Army people buy from our shops. I don't understand how banning a food item proves anybody is more or less religious," he says.

'Not just Muslims'

Gulzar Qureshi is the community leader here, and he explains that "people don't understand that this is not just Muslims' problem".

"Most people who rear sheep and goats are Hindus. I know so many Hindus who have come here from their villages to sell their animals and are now stuck," he says.

Chunni Lal is one of them.

image copyright Ankit Srinivas image caption Chunni Lal says he has been selling goats and sheep to Muslims for decades

"I am running out of money to feed the five goats I have brought with me. Nobody is willing to buy them," Mr Lal says.

Gulzar Qureshi says people who believe that the meat trade ban has only affected butchers and slaughterhouse owners are wrong.

"That's just over simplification. Cattle farmers, middlemen who buy animals and butchers are all affected," he says.

He adds that even rickshaw pullers who ferry these animals, and tannery workers who need leather don't have much work these days.

"We are not asking for fancy roads and schools. Just let us earn whatever little amount we make for our children. I think that's the least a citizen can expect from his government," he says.

Pictures by Ankit Srinivas