“As Eid-ul-Azha approaches in Kashmir, the rush for sacrificial animals highlights the festival’s deep spiritual, charitable, and communal importance. However, in recent years, this festive spirit has been consistently overshadowed by the uncontrolled and unreasonable pricing of these animals.”
As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, markets across Kashmir begin witnessing a familiar rush for sacrificial animals. For many families, the festival is not only a religious obligation but also a deeply emotional and spiritual occasion rooted in faith, sacrifice, charity and community participation. However, over the past several years, one issue has repeatedly overshadowed the spirit of Eid in the Valley — the uncontrolled and often unreasonable prices of sacrificial animals. From sheep and goats to cattle, prices have risen sharply, placing an enormous burden on middle-class and lower-income families. In many cases, buyers are left shocked at the rates demanded in markets, with little regulation, transparency or accountability. What was once a manageable religious obligation is increasingly becoming financially stressful for ordinary people. There was a time when government departments actively monitored livestock markets before Eid. Rates were discussed, basic guidelines were framed and authorities ensured that traders did not exploit public sentiment during the festival season. Officials from departments concerned with consumer affairs, agriculture and animal husbandry would remain present in markets, keeping a check on prices and market practices. While the system was not perfect, it at least provided some balance between traders and consumers. Today, however, the situation has largely been left to market forces. Prices are determined entirely by demand and supply, and in the absence of regulation, profiteering has become common. Traders often justify steep prices by citing transportation costs, fodder expenses and market competition. While some increase in rates may be understandable due to inflation and rising costs, the absence of any monitoring mechanism has allowed excessive pricing to flourish unchecked. The issue is not merely economic; it is social and moral as well. Eid-ul-Azha is meant to strengthen values of sacrifice, compassion and equality. If families are pushed into financial strain simply to fulfil a religious duty, then society must pause and reflect on whether the true spirit of the occasion is being preserved. This is where the government must step in once again. Authorities should establish proper livestock sale points, display indicative price ranges based on animal size and health, and deploy market inspection teams ahead of Eid.
“Unchecked profiteering in Kashmir’s sacrificial animal markets threatens both household economies and the spiritual integrity of Eid-ul-Azha. To protect the dignity of ordinary citizens and preserve the festival’s true religious values, both the administration and society must urgently step in to regulate prices.”
Transparent weighing systems and veterinary checks can also help protect consumers from fraud and unhealthy livestock sales. Even if complete price control is not possible in a free market, reasonable regulation and oversight are necessary to prevent exploitation. At the same time, responsibility does not lie with the administration alone. Islamic scholars, religious leaders and mosque preachers also have an important role to play. They are among the most influential voices in Kashmiri society and can help promote moderation, fairness and ethical business practices during Eid. Islam strongly discourages exploitation, greed and unjust profiteering, especially during religious occasions. Religious scholars should openly address this issue in sermons and public discussions. They can encourage traders to act responsibly and remind people that the essence of sacrifice lies in intention and devotion, not in displaying wealth or purchasing the most expensive animal. A social atmosphere driven by competition and prestige defeats the humility and compassion associated with Eid-ul-Azha. Community organisations and local committees can also contribute by helping organise fair-price livestock markets and mediating between traders and consumers. Public awareness campaigns highlighting ethical trading practices and responsible purchasing can ease pressure on families and discourage artificial inflation. Kashmir has always been known for its strong community values and religious consciousness. Allowing sacrificial animal markets to become centres of unchecked profiteering damages not only household economies but also the spirit of the festival itself. As Eid draws near, both the administration and society must recognise the urgency of the issue. Regulating sacrificial animal prices is not merely about economics; it is about protecting the dignity of ordinary people and preserving the true values of Eid-ul-Azha.
