ahead-of-eid-mahua-moves-court-over-cattle-slaughter-curbs

The Trinamool Congress has legally challenged a recent notification by the West Bengal government aimed at regulating the slaughter of cows and buffaloes ahead of Eid. During a Calcutta High Court hearing on Wednesday, Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra argued that the new restrictions would severely hit poor cattle rearers across the state, and requested an immediate exemption.

 

The legal challenge was formally brought forward by Trinamool MLA Akhruzzaman. His petition targets a state government directive that explicitly bans the slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, and buffaloes unless a "fit certificate" is issued by the authorities. According to the revised laws, officials have been mandated to determine animal's age and condition before anything else.

 

As counsel for the petitioners in the courtroom, Moitra maintained that the ruling would create tremendous economic hardship for people living in economically marginalised regions, whose sole source of income is the breeding of cattle. According to her, the people breed the cattle throughout the year with the hope of being able to earn some money when they sell them.

 

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Moitra added that the order had created widespread instability and dampened festive preparations for the Muslim community. In addition, Akhruzzaman pointed out that the new rules clash directly with the religious rites associated with Eid-ul-Azha, as it is a part of the Islamic religion to slaughter domesticated animals.

 

The issue arose when the BJP government of the state notified last week that veterinary clearance will be necessary for the coming festival. Under these strict guidelines, only animals over 14 years of age, or those permanently incapacitated by injury, deformity, or incurable disease, can be legally cleared for slaughter.

 

A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen adjourned the proceedings on Wednesday afternoon after noting that copies of the petition had not yet been formally served to the state and central governments. The bench ordered the case to be listed as the very first matter for hearing on Thursday morning.

 

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