In a decisive move, the Gazipur district administration has banned the slaughter of horses and the sale of horse meat in the Haiderabad area. The decision comes after months of unauthorized commercial slaughter and sale of horse meat, which has raised concerns over the preservation of the endangered species.

Dr. SM Harun-or-Rashid, the district veterinary surgeon of Gazipur’s Department of Livestock, announced the ban on Tuesday, stating, “A mobile court has verbally prohibited the slaughter of horses and the sale of horse meat in the area.” He emphasized that while consuming horse meat is not religiously prohibited, horses are considered an endangered species in Bangladesh. “Commercial slaughter requires government permission and must be conducted in approved slaughterhouses, which the sellers did not obtain,” he added.

The sale of horse meat began earlier this year in Haiderabad, initially priced at 200 taka per kilogram. However, as demand grew, the price rose to 300 taka per kilogram. Shafiqul Islam, a horse meat seller, claimed that horse meat is leaner and tastier than beef, with no need for soap to wash hands after handling it. “At first, locals criticized us, but now they don’t say much. Most of our customers come from distant areas through online bookings,” he said.

Local religious leader Abdul Qadir Khondokar, an advisor to the At-Taqwa Mosque and Madrasa, clarified that Islam does not prohibit the consumption of horse meat. “According to Islamic teachings, Allah has forbidden the consumption of donkey meat but has not placed any restrictions on horse meat. I have tried it myself and found it quite delicious,” he stated.

The ban has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the move to protect endangered horses, while others argue that the meat trade provided a unique culinary option. The administration has vowed to enforce the ban strictly, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.