CPIML Liberation, West Bengal on May 19 has filed a PIL in Calcutta High Court seeking urgent judicial intervention to stop the order issued by the BJP Government invoking an outdated 1950 law to impose severe punitive restrictions on ritual sacrifice of livestock.
The party has strongly stated that this order is a direct assault on multiple constitutional and democratic rights. It targets the religious freedom of the Muslim community, the livelihoods of farmers and cattle traders, many of whom belong to the Hindu community, the right of citizens to eat according to their choice, and the rich culinary diversity of West Bengal.
The BJP led state government had recently announced the enforcement of the 1950 law to curb the slaughter of animals, including cows and buffaloes, unless certified by a veterinarian. The notification further stipulated that an animal may be considered fit for slaughter only if it is permanently incapacitated or above 14 years of age.
CPI(ML) Liberation said that such restrictions are punitive, unreasonable and designed to create fear among communities whose religious practices, food habits and livelihoods are linked with livestock trade and meat consumption. The move will directly hit farmers, small traders, butchers, transport workers and working people dependent on the livestock economy.
Traders from different communities have also raised strong objections to the government’s move, saying it has created fear and uncertainty in the livestock market and will directly hit the livelihoods of farmers and cattle traders. Many said they had borrowed heavily to buy and rear cattle for Eid al-Adha sales around May 27-28, but the threat of police action and intensified scrutiny has scared away buyers, leaving traders staring at huge losses.
