Humayun Kabir, chief of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and sitting MLA, on Wednesday, 20 May issued a sharp warning to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal, saying any move to prohibit qurbani — the ritualistic animal sacrifice central to the Bakrid festival — would be firmly rejected by the Muslim community. His remarks came in direct response to the state government's 13 May notification on Animal Slaughter Guidelines.

What the Bengal Government's Notice Says

The West Bengal government's 13 May circular made it mandatory to obtain a fit-for-slaughter certificate before slaughtering bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, buffaloes, buffalo calves, and castrated buffaloes. The order also barred public slaughter of these animals and directed that officials conducting inspections to enforce the guidelines must not face any obstruction.

Kabir's Direct Warning to the Government

Addressing the controversy, Kabir said: 'As many as 37 per cent Muslims eat beef. If they want to ban all this, then first, all slaughter houses should be sealed, which have been given licences to slaughter cows.'

He stressed that while the law must be respected, qurbani would still go ahead. 'According to Quran, animals which are legitimate for qurbani, will be sacrificed,' he said. He then addressed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directly: 'I am warning the BJP government. I am directly telling Suvendu Adhikari to not play with fire. If they try to ban qurbani, it will create problems for them. The Muslim community will not compromise on qurbani under any circumstances.'

Kabir also pointed out that the Indian government both exports and imports beef, adding that 'the BJP government is earning thousands of crores as taxes by supplying beef.'

Calcutta High Court Takes Up the Matter

On the same day, the Calcutta High Court heard a plea challenging the West Bengal government's notification regulating cattle slaughter. The legal challenge adds a judicial dimension to what is already a politically charged standoff ahead of the festival.

Namaz on Public Roads: A Separate Flashpoint

Separately, Kabir urged the Suvendu Adhikari-led state government to designate a ground for offering namaz on Bakrid. He made clear that if no arrangement was made, 'namaz will be offered on the road just like it has been taking place for so many years.' He noted that Muslim community members have historically offered Eid prayers at Kolkata's Red Road, officially known as Indira Gandhi Sarani.

This comes amid a broader national debate on the issue — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently opposed the offering of namaz on public roads, asserting that large religious gatherings should be held at designated places in an organised manner, in shifts if necessary, to prevent overcrowding and disruption.

With Bakrid approaching and the Calcutta High Court now seized of the matter, the standoff between the state government and community leaders is set to intensify in the coming days.