Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday, 20 May moved the Calcutta High Court challenging a West Bengal government notification that imposes strict conditions on cattle slaughter ahead of Eid al-Adha, expected on 27 or 28 May. The petition was filed through party MLA Akhruzzaman, seeking an exemption under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act to allow qurbani rituals associated with Bakri Eid to proceed.

What the Notification Says

The West Bengal government's 13 May notice mandates a 'fit certificate' before any bull, bullock, cow, calf, or male or female buffalo can be slaughtered. The certificate must be issued jointly by the chairman of a municipality or the president of a panchayat samiti and a government veterinary surgeon.

Under the notification, slaughter is permissible only for animals above 14 years of age or those rendered permanently incapacitated due to injury, deformity, old age, or incurable disease — conditions that petitioners argue would effectively bar most animals offered during Eid al-Adha.

What Moitra Argued in Court

Speaking to reporters after the filing, Moitra said the notification would harm not just Muslims observing Bakri Eid but also the rural economy — specifically those whose livelihoods depend on cattle rearing and sale.

'The petition is seeking an exemption under Section 12 of the Animal Slaughter Act, 1951, regarding a notification issued on 13th May. Since the festival of Eid al-Adha is expected on the 27th or 28th, and there is limited time left, the petition requests exemption under Section 12, as the government may grant such relief. The request is to allow exemptions for the required arrangements for the festival of Bakri Eid,' Moitra said.

Before the court, the petitioners submitted that the restrictions interfered with the religious practice of qurbani and disproportionately affected economically weaker sections dependent on the cattle trade.

Court's Response

The matter was placed before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen. The bench has directed that the petition be taken up for its first hearing at 10:30 am on Thursday.

Broader Significance

The legal challenge comes at a politically sensitive moment in West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) — which governs the state — finds itself in the unusual position of having one of its own MPs challenge a notification issued by its own government. Notably, this is not the first time cattle slaughter regulations have become a flashpoint ahead of Eid in India; similar disputes have arisen in other states in recent years. Critics argue that last-minute regulatory changes ahead of religious festivals — regardless of their stated intent — disproportionately impact minority communities and the rural poor. The Calcutta High Court's ruling, expected shortly given the festival's proximity, will be closely watched across the state.