Kolkata, 18 May (H.S.): Amid West Bengal government’s recent notification regarding cattle slaughter, the Imam of Kolkata’s renowned Nakhoda Mosque, Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasmi, has appealed to Muslims to refrain from sacrificing cows during Bakrid and instead respect the sentiments of the Hindu community.

Maulana Qasmi said that in a diverse society, communities should avoid activities that may hurt the religious feelings of others. He noted that the state government’s latest notification has made the process of animal slaughter more stringent than before.

According to him, the government has prohibited slaughter without a valid health certificate, and authorities will now assess the age and physical condition of cattle before issuing permission certificates.

The Imam further stated that if the government is unable to provide the required infrastructure for lawful slaughter, it should consider declaring the cow a national animal and impose a complete nationwide ban on cow slaughter and beef exports. He also stressed the need for modern slaughterhouses and the availability of veterinary services in markets across all regions.

Appealing directly to the Muslim community, Maulana Qasmi said goats could be sacrificed instead of cows while keeping in mind the sentiments of Hindus. He added that the spirit of sacrifice in Islam is rooted in faith and devotion, and maintaining social harmony is equally important.

Referring to the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, he said the law has existed since 1950 but is now being enforced more strictly. According to him, previous governments had granted freedom to Muslims but failed to provide a long-term and structured solution to related issues.

Maulana Qasmi also expressed concern over recent directives regarding the use of loudspeakers at mosques. He said the sound regulations are based on Pollution Control Board norms and Supreme Court guidelines. He urged mosque committees to cooperate with authorities and ensure that loudspeaker use remains within permissible sound limits.

He further claimed that reports had emerged from some rural areas alleging that police personnel had removed loudspeakers from mosques without properly understanding the rules. He clarified that the guidelines only regulate permissible sound levels and do not call for the complete removal of loudspeakers.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh