The Calcutta High Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on a series of petitions challenging the West Bengal government’s recent guidelines regarding animal slaughter for the upcoming festival of Eid al-Adha.
The division bench’s decision follows intense arguments from both the petitioners, who are seeking exemptions for religious rituals, and government counsel, who defended the restrictions as legally sound.
The Core Dispute: Religious Exemptions vs. Government Regulations
At the center of the legal battle is a state government notification that lays down strict guidelines for animal slaughter during next week’s festival.
The petitioners are seeking an exemption under Section 12 of the Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. This specific section allows for relaxations of the law’s restrictions when it comes to religious purposes.
Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing one of the petitioners, argued that the primary legislation is outdated. He pointed out that the Animal Slaughter Control Act was framed in 1950, a time when West Bengal’s agricultural sector was heavily reliant on domestic animals. Today, Bhattacharya argued, farming is technology-driven, reducing the agricultural dependency on cattle.
To support the plea for relaxation, Bhattacharya also noted that West Bengal has experienced healthy growth in its cattle population over the years.
State and Center Defend Guidelines
Lawyers representing both the West Bengal state government and the Central government strongly opposed the petitions.
They argued that the disputed notification is fully compliant with the law, having been issued in strict accordance with the provisions of the 1950 Act. Furthermore, they stated that the guidelines align with past judgments delivered by the Calcutta High Court itself in 2018 and 2022.
According to the government’s counsel, the guidelines simply enforce legally mandated vetting procedures to verify the age and health of the cattle before slaughter.
What the West Bengal Guidelines Mandate
The state government’s notification outlines several key directives aimed at regulating animal slaughter during the festival:
- Fit Certificates Required: The guidelines strictly bar the slaughter of any animal without a “fit certificate” issued by the appropriate authorities, confirming the animal’s age and health status.
- Public Ban: Animal slaughter in open public places is “strictly prohibited” across the state.
- Penal Consequences: The state government has warned of strict penal action against individuals who fail to follow these directives.
With the High Court reserving its judgment, both sides now await the court’s final ruling, which will determine how the guidelines will be enforced for next week’s Eid al-Adha rituals.
