Row over slaughter guidelines escalates as Kabir vows 'qurbani', BJP hits back

West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir on Thursday asserted that animal sacrifice during Eid ''will happen at any cost,'' escalating the political sparring over the BJP government's recent guidelines regulating animal slaughter and warning against any restrictions on religious practices.

Kabir, a founder member of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), said Muslims would not compromise on the issue of 'qurbani' and accused the government of interfering in religious matters.

''We respect the law. But qurbani will happen. Whatever is written in the Quran will happen. I want to tell Suvendu Adhikari directly not to play with fire. It may prove dangerous for you. The Muslim community will not compromise on qurbani,'' he said.

Expressing resentment over restrictions on offering prayers on roads, Kabir also said the government should make arrangements for adequate spaces for Eid congregations.

''Eid prayers are held on Red Road. If that is not allowed in future, there will be protests. Adequate space should be provided for offering prayers. If arrangements are not made, then pujas on roads should not be allowed either,'' he said.

However, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya brushed aside Kabir's remarks and maintained that the issue was about enforcing law and preventing illegal activities.

''Illegal slaughterhouses will not be allowed to operate,'' Bhattacharya said.

He clarified that the BJP does not interfere with people's individual food preferences but firmly opposes open or public slaughter of cows.

The exchange comes amid an intensifying debate over the state's recent regulatory measures on animal slaughter, which has also reached the Calcutta High Court and triggered strong reactions across political and social circles.

In a notification issued on May 13, the West Bengal government laid down a set of guidelines barring animal slaughter without a ''fit certificate'' from authorities and warned of penal action for violations.

The notification also stated that animal slaughter in open public places would be ''strictly prohibited''.

The move has triggered a fresh political flashpoint in the state, with opposition parties and sections of the minority community raising concerns over possible curbs on religious practices, while the ruling dispensation has maintained that the measures are aimed at regulating slaughter and ensuring adherence to legal norms.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)