Mumbai : The Qureshi community has officially called off its month-long boycott of cattle markets across Maharashtra following assurances from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The community had suspended cattle trading at over 200 markets to protest against alleged harassment by vigilante groups targeting cattle traders.
Traditionally engaged in the meat business, the Qureshi community claimed that their repeated complaints about vigilante groups—who accused traders of illegally transporting cows for slaughter—were being ignored by the authorities. Beef production is banned in the state, but the community argued that legal cattle trading, especially of buffaloes, was being disrupted.
A key meeting took place on Tuesday between Deputy CM Pawar and representatives of the All India Jamiatul Quresh and the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims. The delegation was led by NCP MLA Sana Malik and her father, former minister Nawab Malik. Maharashtra’s Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla also attended the discussion.
Pawar stated, “The strike was affecting not just traders but also farmers who rely on selling unproductive buffaloes. I’ve spoken to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari regarding transport regulations for cattle and have also sought input from the state transport department. The Qureshis have agreed to withdraw their protest.”
With the strike now officially over, cattle trading is expected to resume across Maharashtra, bringing relief to both farmers and traders.
