After Suvendu Govt's Curbs, Muslim Clerics In Bengal Urge Community Not To Slaughter Cows On Eid-ul-Adha
After Suvendu Govt's Curbs, Muslim Clerics In Bengal Urge Community Not To Slaughter Cows On Eid-ul-Adha Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 12:37 IST
After Suvendu Govt's Curbs, Muslim Clerics In Bengal Urge Community Not To Slaughter Cows On Eid-ul-Adha Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 12:37 IST A recent notification by the Suvendu-led government cited the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, and the August 2018 order by a Calcutta high court division bench Image for representation | File photo Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha festival, Muslim clerics in West Bengal have urged the community not to purchase cows for Qurbani (sacrifice) on the occasion, which is expected to be observed towards the end of the month. The appeal follows the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s curb on cattle sales in the state. Maulana Shafique Qasmi, the Imam of Kolkata’s iconic Nakhoda Masjid, said Muslims should not offer cows during the festival, urging them to stop consuming beef altogether.
“I appeal to my Muslim brothers not to offer cows. In fact, they should stop eating beef altogether. Let the Central government declare cow as a protected national animal. Unfortunately, it is our Hindu brothers who will suffer because they are the ones who breed cattle and sell the herds to Muslims during Eid. Millions of rupees exchange hands," he said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times. What Government Said A recent notification by the Suvendu Adhikari-led government cited the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, and the August 2018 order by a Calcutta high court division bench on a petition seeking a ban on cow slaughters in public places, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
A copy of the notification, which was accessed by the outlet, does not impose a ban on cow slaughter but enforces broader curbs on it, mandating obtaining a written permission by government entities. According to the order, no person is allowed to slaughter cows, bulls, bullocks, calves, buffaloes, buffalo calves, and castrated buffalos without obtaining written certificates jointly issued by municipality chairpersons or panchayat sabhathipatis, with government veterinary surgeons stating “that the animal is fit for slaughter", said the HT report. The 2018 Court Order The 2018 Calcutta High Court order prohibits the slaughter of cows in public places and states that sacrifice of the animal is not a part of the festival and not a religious compulsion under Islam.
News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 20, 2026, 12:37 IST News india After Suvendu Govt's Curbs, Muslim Clerics In Bengal Urge Community Not To Slaughter Cows On Eid-ul-Adha Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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