look news india
In the politics of West Bengal, the political temperature has reached sky high regarding ‘Animal Slaughter Control Act’. Agnimitra Paul, minister in the Subhendu government of the state, strongly defended the government’s new notification on Friday. He clearly said that this rule is not new but has been in existence since 1950, but the previous governments never allowed it to be implemented on the ground due to appeasement and vote bank politics.
While talking to news agency ANI, Minister Agnimitra Paul gave a very sharp reaction to the statement of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir. He bluntly warned Kabir that if he wanted to live in India and Bengal, he would have to respect the rules and regulations here.
Uproar created over Humayun Kabir’s statement of ‘1400 years old tradition’
Actually, this whole controversy started when Humayun Kabir had openly expressed his disagreement against this decision of the BJP government. Kabir had challenged and said that despite the government’s opposition and this law, the practice of religious sacrifice will continue in the state, as it is a part of their 1,400 year old religious tradition.
Countering Kabir’s statement, Minister Agnimitra Paul said, “In Bengal, we have a rule of 1950, which has been in practice for years. Humayun Kabir, if you want to live in Bengal, you will have to follow the rules here. If you feel that you cannot follow the laws of the state, then you are completely free to go to any other state, where you are allowed to do so. Or you can go to any other Islamic country outside the country. Can go and settle down.”
What is the new rule of the government? Know why ‘fitness certificate’ is important
According to the new notification issued by the Shubhendu government, very strict guidelines have now been implemented under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. According to the new order:-
Now it will be mandatory to obtain ‘fitness certificate’ before slaughtering any cattle.
This certificate can be issued only by the Chairman of the concerned Municipality or the Head of the Panchayat Samiti, jointly with a Government Veterinary Doctor.
Authorities and doctors will give written consent only if the animal is above 14 years of age and is completely unfit for farming, work or breeding.
Apart from this, if the animal has become permanently disabled due to old age, serious injury, physical deformity or any incurable disease, then only it will be considered eligible for slaughter.
Complete ban on open slaughter of animals, violation will result in jail
The government has made it clear that now slaughter of animals will not be allowed in any public place, road or open. Slaughter of animals can be done only in authorized municipal slaughterhouses or at places decided by the local administration.
If any person is found violating these rules and provisions, strict legal action will be taken against him. Under the new rules, violators can face a jail sentence of up to 6 months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.
Calcutta High Court also refused to stay the government’s decision
After the release of this new notification, several petitions were filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the government’s decision. Citing the festival of Eid-Uz-Zuha (Bakrid) in the petitions, there was a demand to ban this guideline.
However, the Calcutta High Court clearly refused to interfere in this matter. Rejecting the Subhendu government’s demand to stay the order, the court reiterated that a complete ban on slaughter of any cattle or buffalo without mandatory fitness certificate before the upcoming festival will remain in force. After this stance of the court, now the state government is preparing to strictly implement these rules.
