Even though Eid-ul-Azha is more than a week away, you can already feel the festive energy humming through the streets of Jammu and Kashmir. The markets are humming with life, families are out prepping, and there’s that familiar, unmistakable buzz in the air as people talk about buying their sacrificial animals. But this year, beneath the excitement, there is a heavy layer of anxiety.
The issue on everyone’s mind is the staggering cost of sacrificial animals. Traders are asking for nearly ₹450 per kilogram on live weight, which translates to a crushing ₹900 per kilogram for meat. For an average middle-class or lower-income family, those numbers aren’t just high, they are a wall. People who save up all year, looking forward to fulfilling this deeply personal and important religious obligation, are finding themselves standing in the markets feeling completely helpless.
Eid-ul-Azha is supposed to be a beautiful reminder of sacrifice, compassion, and community. It’s a time when everyone, regardless of their financial standing, should feel equal. Yet, the current market reality tells a much harsher story. Instead of empathy and fairness during a sacred season, it feels like basic supply and demand is being weaponized for maximum profit.
Because of this, the mood in many households has shifted from anticipation to stress: Budget Cuts: Families are being forced to slash spending on other Eid essentials just to afford an animal. Compromised Choices: Many are opting for much smaller animals than they traditionally would. Heartbreaking Decisions: Some families are facing the painful reality of having to opt out of the sacrifice entirely this year.
What makes this situation truly frustrating for locals is the glaring lack of market regulation. This isn’t a new problem; the chaotic surge in prices happens like clockwork every single year. Yet, when you walk through the markets, there is no visible enforcement, no capped rates, and no protection for the average consumer. The Bottom Line: At a time when everyday inflation is already stretching household budgets to the breaking point, these unregulated festive prices are a breaking blow. Eid is meant to bring families together in relief and celebration, not burden them with financial dread. If local authorities don’t step in soon to monitor these rates and curb the exploitation, the warmth of the festive spirit risks being entirely eclipsed by public frustration and heartbreak
