Ranchi, Feb. 6: Several Muslim scholars of the capital have welcomed the fatwa against cow slaughter in the states where it is banned.

The fatwa was issued by Dar-ul-Uloom — the largest theological college in the subcontinent — based in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, on the eve of Bakri-Id.

Those who supported the fatwa included Marwari College principal Zaved Ahmad, who said if cow slaughter hurts the sentiments of the members of other communities Muslims should stop it in the larger interest of communal harmony.

“We should do away with animal sacrifice because God does not want to be worshipped at the cost of anybody else’s life. Such traditions continue to dominate different communities mainly due to mass level illiteracy,” he said.

Former pro-vice-chancellor of Ranchi University and psychology teacher M.K. Hasan said the fatwa was the need of the hour. “In Islam, it is not mandatory for believers to slaughter cows,” he added.

The timing of fatwa will certainly help bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims,” he said.

Hasan, however, took exception to Vishwa Hindu Parishad general secretary Praveen Togadia’s statement in which he said cow sacrifice among Muslims was in vogue since the time of Mohammad Ghori’s invasion. Hasan said cow slaughter was banned during Mughal period. Mughal emperor Jehangir had to face strong opposition from Muslim scholar and leader Muzadd Alaf Sani, who enjoyed the support of the public. It was the British who lifted the ban so that they could drive a wedge between the two communities, he said, adding that Togadia should check facts before making public statements.

Congress legislator Furkan Ansari said issuing fatwa was not the right approach.

“The issue should be left to the people. It is good that people should respect the sentiments of each other’s belief. But the fatwa is no answer,” he added.

Ranchi University spokesperson S.S. Akhtar lauded Deoband School for issuing the fatwa against cow slaughter.