Kolkata, 21 May (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Thursday heard multiple public interest litigations challenging the West Bengal government’s restrictions on the slaughter of cows and buffaloes ahead of Bakrid.

During the hearing, senior advocate Bikash Bhattacharya, appearing for one of the petitioners, argued that if a law is not implemented for a long period, its effectiveness gradually weakens. In response, the High Court observed that if the law had not been in force, there would have been no need for so many petitions to be filed. The court also noted that notifications regarding the law had been issued every year.

The state government informed the court that only animals above 14 years of age or those permanently incapacitated would be considered “fit” for slaughter.

Petitioner Ramakrishna Pal sought a complete ban on cow slaughter and urged the court to prohibit all forms of animal slaughter. He argued that innocent and voiceless animals are killed in the name of Bakrid and claimed that “sacrifice” in Hindu religious traditions symbolises control over animalistic instincts rather than the killing of animals.

Another petitioner, Mohammad Zafar Yasni, requested the court to direct authorities to issue clear guidelines regarding animal sacrifice during Eid. He urged the government to publish a list of authorised slaughterhouses and ensure that ordinary citizens are not subjected to illegal harassment.

The petitioners also argued that although the 1950 law requires a fitness certificate before slaughter, the state lacks adequate infrastructure to issue such certificates. They questioned how authorities would determine an animal’s age without scientific or biological testing.

Advocate Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay, appearing for petitioner Mohammad Shakil Warsi, challenged the constitutional validity of the 1950 law and sought cancellation of the state notification. He also requested relaxation of the rules for those who had already purchased cattle ahead of Bakrid.

Representing Jamiat-e-Ulema, advocate Bikashranjan Bhattacharya argued that the law was originally enacted to protect cattle used in agriculture, but technological advancement has reduced dependence on cattle for farming. He claimed that livestock numbers and milk production in the state have increased over the years.

He further contended that the law was applicable only in municipal areas that existed in 1952 when the legislation came into force. He also questioned the practical implementation of mandatory appeals and certification procedures under the law.

The High Court observed that annual notifications related to the law indicated that it had remained operational over the years.

The state government has enforced certain provisions of the 1950 livestock law, under which slaughter of cattle without administrative approval is prohibited. The rules also ban slaughter of animals below 14 years of age and require written permission from local authorities or the animal husbandry department for meat processing.

The restrictions have reportedly created uncertainty regarding animal sacrifice during the upcoming Bakrid festival on May 28.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey