NEW DELHI — The Delhi administration has established Rapid Response Teams in all thirteen administrative districts of the national capital territory as part of enhanced enforcement measures ahead of the Bakrid festival, according to reports.
The specialised units have been tasked with monitoring compliance related to animal slaughter practices, preventing unauthorised trading of livestock, and ensuring adherence to established festival protocols. The deployment comes as the city prepares for Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar, observed with ritual animal sacrifice by millions of Muslims worldwide.
Bakrid, also known as Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to divine command. The observance traditionally involves the sacrifice of goats, sheep, or cattle, with the meat distributed among family, friends, and the underprivileged. However, Indian law mandates that such practices must occur only at designated facilities and comply with animal welfare regulations.
The enforcement drive reflects ongoing efforts by urban authorities to balance religious freedoms with public health standards, environmental regulations, and animal welfare laws. Similar monitoring operations have been conducted in previous years across major Indian cities during the festival period.