Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday, 17 May 2026, wrote a formal letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari over the state government's 13 May public notice on 'Animal Slaughter Guidelines', flagging that the directive has triggered confusion and unrest — particularly in Murshidabad district, where the minority community constitutes the majority of the population.

What the Notice Says

The West Bengal government, on 13 May 2026, made it mandatory to obtain a fit-for-slaughter certificate before slaughtering bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, buffaloes, buffalo calves, and castrated buffaloes. The notice also prohibited public slaughter of these animals and directed that officials conducting enforcement inspections must not face obstruction. The order has since drawn sharp reactions from minority community groups in several districts.

What Chowdhury Wrote

In his letter, Chowdhury stated: 'I am writing with the intention of bringing to your notice the fact that the Public Notice dated 13th May, 2026, issued by the Government of West Bengal regarding adherence to the Animal Slaughter Guidelines has been causing confusion and also unrest, which needs to be addressed.'

The Congress leader underscored that Murshidabad, as a district where the minority community forms the demographic majority, has been particularly affected. He wrote that the notice has caused 'consternation in the Community', given the multifarious cultural and religious traditions practised across the state.

Chowdhury's Proposed Solution

Rather than demanding a rollback of the notice, Chowdhury urged the Chief Minister to direct the district administration to identify and demarcate specific locations where communities could practise their socio-religious customs without conflict. He argued that such designated spaces would be 'an ideal solution for putting to rest the unease the Notice may be causing, particularly amongst the people of the Minority community.'

This approach, he suggested, would allow different communities to continue their customary religious practices while remaining within the regulatory framework set by the state.

Political and Community Context

The slaughter guidelines notice has come at a politically sensitive moment for West Bengal. Murshidabad, which shares a border with Bangladesh and has a predominantly Muslim population, has historically been a flashpoint for communal tension. The Congress, which has a residual base in the district, appears to be positioning itself as a mediating voice between the state administration and minority community concerns.

Notably, this is not the first time animal slaughter regulations have stirred controversy in the state — similar guidelines in other states have led to prolonged legal and political disputes. Whether the Adhikari government responds to Chowdhury's letter with administrative action or treats it as a political overture remains to be seen.

What Happens Next

The Chief Minister's office has not publicly responded to the letter as of the time of reporting. Community organisations in Murshidabad are reportedly awaiting clarity from the district administration on how the guidelines will be enforced on the ground. The Congress's move signals that the issue is likely to escalate into a broader political debate in the run-up to local body elections in the state.