Eid al-Adha in West Bengal was observed under markedly different circumstances this year following the formation of the new BJP government. The administration introduced major changes to animal slaughter and festival observance rules, leading to subdued celebrations. The traditional Eid congregation at Kolkata’s Red Road was canceled, with prayers held instead at Brigade Maidan under tight security, amid unease within the Muslim community.
The government strictly enforced the 1950 animal slaughter law, banning cattle killing without prior approval and prohibiting public or open-air slaughter. The Supreme Court supported the stance, declaring cow sacrifice not an essential religious practice. As a result, cattle markets were nearly empty and sales sharply declined. In a symbolic shift, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari did not issue Eid greetings and spent the day performing cow service at ISKCON Mayapur, sharing videos on social media.
Social media posts reflected widespread disappointment and emotional distress among Muslims, with some describing the situation as “majoritarian fascism” and expressing hope for the return of traditional Eid practices in the future.
বিশেষ প্রতিনিধি, কলকাতা প্রকাশ : ২৮ মে ২০২৬, ২৩: ১৬আপডেট : ২৮ মে ২০২৬, ২৩: ৩৪ পশ্চিমবঙ্গে এবারের ঈদুল আজহা বা কোরবানির ঈদ সম্পূর্ণ ভিন্ন পরিস্থিতির মধ্য দিয়ে পালিত হয়েছে। রাজ্যে নতুন বিজেপি সরকার ক্ষমতায় আসার পর পশু জবাই এবং উৎসব উদযাপনের নিয়মে ব
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