Cow Sacrifice in Bakra Eid: The imam of Kolkata’s famous Nakhoda Mosque, Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasmi, has asked Muslims to avoid cow sacrifice this Eid. He spoke to PTI on Sunday and said people should choose goats instead of cows. He also said Muslims should be careful not to hurt others in a mixed society. One of his direct lines was, “Please do not perform cow sacrifices. Never consume beef again,”.
His appeal came at a time when Bakra Eid is close, and the issue has become more sensitive because of the new West Bengal animal slaughter rules. The government’s fresh notice, issued on 13 May 2026, says cattle and buffalo can only be slaughtered with a fitness certificate. Reports say the rules are being enforced under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, and the timing is just days before Bakra Eid on 27 May 2026.
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Why he says the New Rules are Hard to Follow
Qasmi said the new system has made animal slaughter very difficult because proper local facilities are not available everywhere. The reports say animals can be slaughtered only if they are above 14 years old or permanently incapacitated, and they also need the right certificate before slaughter. He said the state must first build slaughterhouses in every area and make veterinary surgeons available in every market.
He also told PTI that if the required system cannot be put in place, then the government should take a much firmer stand on cow slaughter and beef exports. His complaint was that the rules are strict on ordinary people, but the bigger system still has many gaps. In another interview, he said, “But, there cannot be contradictions.” He then pointed to the fact that India earns a lot from meat trade while common people face punishment and violence over beef.
What else the Cleric asked for?
In a separate interview, Maulana Qasmi went even further and said all forms of animal sacrifice should be stopped, even sacrifices done at Hindu temples. He said the government should make the system clear and fair for everyone, instead of leaving people confused before a major religious festival. His main idea was that peace matters more than pressure and that people should not be pushed into actions that can upset others in society.
The West Bengal notice has now become a major talking point because it comes right before Eid al-Adha. Reports say the rules also require slaughter to happen only in approved places, not in open public spaces.
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What The Notice Says
- No bull, bullock, cow, calf or buffalo can be slaughtered without a certificate.
- The certificate must be signed by two separate authorities.
- Both a local administrative head and a government veterinary officer must approve.
- Violations are cognisable offences punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment.
- Offenders can also be fined up to₹1,000
Fitness Certificate
The legal framework is based on Sections 4 and 5 of the 1950 Act.
- An animal must be at least 14 years old to qualify.
- It must also be unfit for work or breeding purposes.
- Alternatively, it must be permanently incapacitated due to injury or incurable disease.
- If the two signing officials disagree, a senior veterinary officer will take the final decision.
- Even with a certificate, slaughter must be performed only in an approved slaughterhouse.
