The Calcutta High Court upholds West Bengal’s restrictions on slaughtering certain animals ahead of Bakr Eid, rejecting requests to stay the curbs. The court rules that cow sacrifice is not an essential or mandatory part of Islamic practice and therefore does not have the status of a religious requirement that would automatically override the state’s regulatory framework. The court also treats the state notification as consistent with earlier directives already in place.
As a result, the restrictions remain in effect. The court directs authorities to take further decisions on whether any exemptions can be granted, including within a short deadline. Where slaughter is permitted, the court requires adherence to conditions such as certification and the use of appropriate infrastructure to ensure the process complies with the regulatory order.
The ruling balances the timing of religious observance with the state’s measures governing animal slaughter. It does not eliminate the possibility of exemptions, but it places the responsibility on authorities to set terms that meet the court’s compliance requirements.
