More than 800 Eidgah committees across Assam have publicly called for restrictions on cow slaughter ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday, 27 May, describing the development as a significant gesture towards communal harmony in the state.

What the Chief Minister Said

Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma said members of the Muslim community had voluntarily decided against sacrificing cows during the festival out of respect for Hindu sentiments. 'This year, many people belonging to the Islamic faith have decided not to perform cow sacrifice during Eid. We welcome this decision,' the Chief Minister said.

Sarma also issued a direct appeal to those planning to carry out animal sacrifice, asking them to avoid doing so in Hindu-majority localities. 'I would also humbly request those Hajis and others who are planning to perform qurbani that they should not carry it out in areas where Hindu residents are living in large numbers. Otherwise, law enforcement agencies will take strict action,' he said.

Sarma's Post on X

In a post on X, Sarma reiterated the development, writing: 'Glad to note that ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha tomorrow, over 800 Eidgah Committees across Assam have called for prohibition of cow slaughter.' He added that respecting the faith of the majority community would 'go a long way in ensuring the peaceful growth of the state.'

Political and Legal Context

The question of cow slaughter during Eid has been a recurring flashpoint in Assam in recent years. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government has consistently invoked the Assam Cattle Preservation Act to restrict such practices, framing compliance as essential to maintaining communal peace. This is not the first time Eidgah bodies have been cited in support of such restrictions — the pattern has emerged over successive festival cycles under the Sarma administration.

Notably, the voluntary nature of the committees' stance, as described by the Chief Minister, positions this as community-led rather than purely state-mandated — a framing that critics and civil society observers may scrutinise given the administration's track record of pressure around the issue.

Security Measures Ahead of Eid

Ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha celebrations, security arrangements have been stepped up across several districts in Assam to prevent any untoward incidents. Authorities have been placed on alert, and law enforcement has been directed to act swiftly against any violations of the restrictions.

With Eid falling the following day, the administration's focus remains on ensuring the festival passes without communal tension — a test that will be closely watched across the state's diverse districts.