The Bharatiya Janata Party government formed for the first time in West Bengal is taking new decisions. Controversies are also taking place on some decisions. The issue related to restrictions on animal sacrifice on Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha) is gaining momentum. On May 21, a hearing was held on this issue in the Calcutta High Court but the parties opposing the government did not get any relief. The High Court refused to stay the notification related to restrictions. There have been controversies all over the country regarding cow sacrifice and there is a ban on it, but according to the rules that have been implemented in Bengal, sacrificing buffalo or other animals will also become difficult. In such a situation, the question is whether the sacrifices in Bengal will remain dull on Bakrid?
On May 13, the Subhendu Adhikari government had issued an order to strictly implement the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. According to the government notification, certification was made mandatory before the slaughter of bulls, calves, cows and buffaloes. Apart from this, it was also said that these certificates will be issued only for those animals whose age is more than 14 years or those animals have become disabled due to some disease, injury or any other reason. This means that if someone wants to sacrifice on Bakrid, he can get a certificate only for those animals which have either become old or are no longer of any use.
Religious belief: Instructions for sacrificing a healthy animal
On one hand, the Bengal government has said that certificates will be available only for the sacrifice of sick or disabled animals, on the other hand, if we look at the beliefs of sacrifice related to the religion of Islam, then this is very contrary to it. For sacrifice, it is said that a completely healthy animal should be bought for sacrifice on Eid. If an animal is injured or has any kind of defect, then that animal is not sacrificed. The lawyer appearing on behalf of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in the Calcutta High Court also made a similar argument in the court. He argued in the court that in Islam it is mandatory to sacrifice healthy animals and not old or disabled animals.
What will happen now?
The rules issued by the Bengal government are not just for Bakrid. It has been decided to implement these rules forever in the entire state. This means that even after Bakrid, permission for slaughtering animals will be available with the same conditions. The High Court has not even banned it. In such a situation, the question is whether sacrifice will not be possible every year in the normal way on Bakrid in Bengal? This question was also raised in the Calcutta High Court and a demand was made on behalf of the Muslim parties that under Section 12 of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, exemption should be given for sacrifice on Bakrid.
What is this section: Under Section 12 of the Act, the State Government has the right to relax the rules of animal slaughter on the basis of religious events if it wishes. The High Court also agreed to the demand of the petitioners. The division bench headed by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul directed the Subhendu government to take a decision in this regard. The court said, “We direct that the state take a decision in accordance with Section 12 of the 1950 Act regarding the exemption sought by some petitioners.”
What will CM Shubhendu do now?
The court has given instructions, now Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has to decide whether he will give some relaxation for sacrifice on Bakrid or not. According to the court order, the government has to take a decision on this within 24 hours. That is, the order came yesterday on 21st May, according to which there is a possibility that the Shubhendu government will take a decision on this today. Bakrid will be celebrated next week on 28th May.
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