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High Court Affirms Slaughter Restrictions
The Calcutta High Court has upheld West Bengal's rules against slaughtering bulls, bullocks, cows, and buffaloes before Eid al-Adha. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, found no reason to block the May 13 notice. This notice, issued under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, requires these animals to be certified and slaughtered only at designated abattoirs. The court noted that this follows its 2018 rulings, which are now final.
Religious and Economic Arguments Considered
Petitioners, including Trinamool Congress MLA Akhruzzaman, argued that the ban interfered with their religious duty to sacrifice animals during Eid. They pointed out that prices for alternative animals like goats and sheep rise sharply before the festival, making larger animals a more affordable option for many.
Acknowledging these concerns, the court has given the state government 24 hours to decide on possible exemptions under Section 12 of the Animal Slaughter Control Act, given the festival's timing. This section allows the state to grant religious exemptions under specific conditions.
Legal Precedent on Cow Sacrifice Set
The High Court also directed the state to clearly state in its public notice that sacrificing cows is not a religious requirement in Islam. This aligns with past Supreme Court decisions that have ruled cow sacrifice is an optional, not essential, religious practice. The court's decision balances religious practices with animal slaughter regulations. The state's swift decision on Section 12 exemptions will be crucial for the community and the livestock market, which has faced disruption. The Supreme Court's and now the Calcutta High Court's precedent emphasizes regulating animal slaughter while respecting religious contexts.