The implementation of stricter enforcement measures under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, has triggered political objections and legal challenges in West Bengal, with leaders of the CPI(M) alleging that the move could adversely affect livelihoods connected to cattle trade and rural economic activity.
CPI(M) MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya on Friday criticised the West Bengal government’s notification enforcing provisions under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, arguing that the measures would impact cattle traders, many of whom, he claimed, belong to the Hindu community.
Speaking on the issue, Bhattacharyya said multiple petitions had been filed before the Calcutta High Court challenging the state government’s notification.
“A number of petitions were moved today before the high court of Calcutta challenging the state government’s notification relating to the slaughter of animals. This was based on the basis of an act which was passed in 1940 by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly… The act itself was operative only in the municipal areas, not beyond that. That we have pointed out to the court, and the court has also been kind enough to record that,” Bhattacharyya said.
He further stated, “There has been a huge cry on the part of the cattle traders, who are basically from the Hindu community… Any action taken by a constitutional government merely on religious consideration has to fail, and that has failed today in West Bengal.”
CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim also questioned the rationale behind the government’s recent implementation guidelines, arguing that policymakers had failed to sufficiently consider the dependence of the rural economy on cattle-related activity.
“After the new government came to power, some deliberation should have been done… The new government did not implement this law. The existing law dates back to 1950, and it has been followed for a long time, with notifications issued during festivals,” Salim said.
He further added, “Those advising the government are looking for ways to harass the public instead of working for the public. This is not a Hindu-Muslim issue; all those who rear cows have come out on the streets. The rural economy also depends on cow rearing, and the government should have understood this…”
The West Bengal government had on May 13 issued a notification reinforcing provisions under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.
Under the notification, a fitness certificate permitting slaughter can only be issued jointly by the Chairperson of a Municipality or President of a Panchayat Samiti along with a Government Veterinary Officer. Both authorities must provide written agreement confirming that an animal is over 14 years of age and no longer fit for work or breeding, or has become permanently incapacitated because of old age, injury, deformity, or incurable disease.
The notification also bars slaughter in public places and requires animals to be slaughtered only at municipal slaughterhouses or facilities authorised by local administrations.
Violations can attract penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment, fines up to Rs 1,000, or both.
Following the notification, multiple petitions were filed before the Calcutta High Court challenging aspects of the government’s implementation guidelines.
However, the Calcutta High Court declined to stay the West Bengal government’s order that reiterates a prohibition on slaughtering cattle or buffalo without mandatory certification ahead of Id-Uz-Zuha celebrations.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi observed that slaughter of animals, including cows and buffaloes, in open public places remains prohibited. The bench also noted that cow sacrifice is not an essential religious requirement under Islam, citing earlier Supreme Court observations.
“In our opinion, the Act of 1950 takes care of the relief prayed for by the petitioner, and we have no doubt that the State will endeavour to implement the Act and Rules made thereunder in its true spirit,” the court said.
At the same time, the High Court directed the state government to review whether sufficient infrastructure and administrative mechanisms exist to issue mandatory fitness certificates under the law.
The bench also instructed authorities to verify whether adequate designated officers are available statewide and whether infrastructure required to facilitate implementation is fully operational.
The court expressed hope that any identified gaps would be addressed by the state administration at the earliest.
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