Kolkata: West Bengal Animal Resources Development Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday stated that there is no basis for linking cattle slaughter regulations with Eid or the religious practice of ‘qurbani’. He emphasized that the stricter norms enforced by the state government are aimed at preventing cattle smuggling and illegal slaughter, not targeting any specific community or festival.
“There is no basis for linking cow slaughter with festivals like Eid or qurbani. If there is a custom, it has to be performed in adherence to the existing laws of the land,” Ghosh said. He made these remarks a week after the state government issued a notification restricting the slaughter of cattle below 14 years of age.
Ghosh met with a group of approximately 100 dairy farmers, milk producers, and cattle shed managers to discuss the issue. “Illegal animal slaughter has been continuing for many years. This has to be stopped now. Cops are vigilant and I would request people not to take the law into their hands,” he added.
The minister clarified that the decision was not directed against any community. “There is no question of targeting any community. There is a specific law and we are strictly implementing that,” he said. On May 13, the state government issued an order effectively stopping the slaughter of cattle below 14 years of age, implementing the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. The order mandates that cattle must be certified as unfit for work or breeding before slaughter.
Ghosh also mentioned that the meeting included ‘gosevaks’ and ‘gobhakts’ (cow protectors and devotees). “We clarified the existing laws to them. We will soon have a campaign for preservation of cattle,” he said.
