Ahead of Eid, TMC's Mahua Moitra challenges cattle slaughter curbs in High Court

Trinamool Congress has challenged the West Bengal government’s recent notification regulating the slaughter of cows and buffaloes ahead of Eid, with MP Mahua Moitra appearing in the Calcutta High Court during the hearing on Wednesday. She argued that the restrictions would adversely affect poor cattle rearers in the state and sought an exemption.

The petition was moved by Trinamool MLA Akhruzzaman, who challenged the state government’s notification that bars animal slaughter without a “fit certificate” issued by the authorities after assessing the age and physical condition of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves and buffaloes.

Appearing before the court, Moitra argued that the notification would inflict financial losses on economically weaker sections dependent on cattle rearing for livelihood.

“The notification issued by the State Government will result in financial loss for the poor people of the state. Poor people rear cattle with the expectation that selling them will provide some financial savings; however, the measures taken by the state administration will cause harm to the common people,” she submitted before the Bench.

Speaking to the media outside the court, she added that the government order had destabilised a large section of people and adversely affected the festive prospects of the Muslim community.

A large section of the population has been preparing for this, not just for the past 10 days, but throughout the entire year. Poor families, in particular, prepare for this occasion all year long. As a result, a significant part of the rural economy has been built around and stabilised by these year-round preparations.

Petitioner Akhruzzaman contended that the restrictions interfere with the religious practices associated with Eid-ul-Azha.

“Qurbani is a religious custom of Islam. During this time, the very cattle, whether cows or buffaloes, that one has reared are offered as a sacrifice to Allah,” he said.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen adjourned the matter after noting that copies of the petition had not been served on the State and Central governments. The Bench directed that the matter be listed as the first case for hearing on Thursday morning.

A controversy erupted after the BJP government in West Bengal last week issed a notification ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, mandating veterinary certification before slaughter of cattle. Under the notification, only animals above 14 years of age or those permanently incapacitated due to injury, deformity, old age or incurable disease would qualify for slaughter.

The notification states that the authorities would assess the health and physical condition of the animals before issuing a fit certificate permitting slaughter.

The matter assumes significance amid recurring political and legal debates surrounding cattle slaughter regulations and religious practices during Eid-ul-Azha in several states across India.