Calcutta High Court Upholds Bengal Cattle Slaughter Curbs Ahead of Eid, Says Cow Sacrifice Not Essential to Festival
Calcutta High Court Upholds Bengal Cattle Slaughter Curbs Ahead of Eid, Says Cow Sacrifice Not Essential to Festival
Kolkata, May 22 : The Calcutta High Court has decided not to put a stop to West Bengal’s restrictions on cattle slaughter right before Bakr Eid. The judges made it clear—they don’t see cow sacrifice as a religious requirement for Eid.
Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, who were on the bench, turned down a handful of petitions that asked for the state’s order to be put on hold. This order spells out rules for slaughtering animals like bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, and buffaloes ahead of the festival. The court pointed out that Islam doesn’t make cow sacrifice compulsory on Eid-ul-Zuha.
The state had issued these rules under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. Simply put, before anyone can slaughter cattle, they need a government certificate proving the animal isn’t fit for work or breeding.
Some groups went to court hoping to pause these restrictions, arguing that it would interfere with the way qurbani is traditionally observed during Bakr Eid. The High Court didn’t agree, and let the government’s order stand.
Not surprisingly, the issue has sparked heated arguments all over West Bengal—from political circles to religious communities. Authorities say the restriction helps them enforce the law, crack down on illegal slaughter, and stop cattle smuggling.
At the same time, several Muslim clerics and community leaders have called for calm. They’re asking people to respect the government’s guidelines and celebrate Eid peacefully, within the law.
[ Calcutta High Court, Bakr Eid 2026, West Bengal cattle slaughter law, cow slaughter restriction, Eid-ul-Zuha news, Bengal government order ]
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