For the first time after the change of government in West Bengal, the list of holidays has been changed. A new notification has been issued regarding Bakrid holidays. The custom of giving two days holiday on Bakrid was started during the time of Trinamool government, but after coming to power in the state, BJP changed that rule. This year, state government employees will get only one day leave.
According to the list of the previous government, Bakrid Holidays were declared on 26th and 27th May. This time the state government has issued a notification saying that this year Bakrid will be celebrated on 28th May. Therefore, there will be a government holiday only on 28th May. The previous notification has been cancelled. The central government had announced a holiday two days ago on 28th.
In a notification, the state government said, in slight modification to the earlier notification, the Governor declares May 28, 2026 (Thursday) as a public holiday on the occasion of Eid-ud-Zoha (Bakrid).
Two days holiday cancelled, now holiday only on 28th May
The government also canceled the previously declared holidays on May 26 and May 27. The notification said, “Due to this, the holidays on May 26, 2026 (Tuesday) and May 27, 2026 (Wednesday), one day before Eid-ud-Zoha (Bakrid) and one day before Eid-ud-Zoha (Bakrid) are cancelled.”
It further said that May 26 and 27 “will be working days for all offices, institutions and places to which this notification applies.”
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the West Bengal government’s notification banning the slaughter of bulls, bulls, cows, calves and buffaloes before Bakrid next week.
Ban on animal slaughter on Bakrid in Bengal
The division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen said that the notification was issued as per the earlier directions of the court. In its order, the court said that the Supreme Court had earlier said that the sacrifice of cows is not an essential part of Eid-Uz-Zuha and it is not an essential religious ritual under Islam.
The bench was hearing petitions in which the guidelines issued by the West Bengal government under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act before Bakrid (Eid-al-Azha) were challenged. Refusing to interfere with the notification, the court said that the state has the right to see whether there is a proper way to issue the certificate required for slaughtering animals under the Act and rules.
Read this also- Bakrid 2026: Why is Bakrid considered special? Know the importance and customs of this festival
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