New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Saturday welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s decision not to stay the West Bengal government’s order regulating cattle slaughter during Eid-ul-Azha and renewed its demand for states without cow slaughter bans to enact laws on the issue.

The development comes amid a growing debate surrounding West Bengal’s recent regulatory measures on animal slaughter, which have sparked legal scrutiny as well as strong political and social reactions.

VHP supports High Court stand on West Bengal notification

In a video statement, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain expressed support for the high court’s order and called for what he described as the permanent eradication of the “sin of cow slaughter” across India.

The West Bengal government’s notification stated that “no person shall slaughter any animal” without obtaining a certificate declaring the animal fit for slaughter.

The order applies to bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, buffalo calves and castrated bulls.

Surendra Jain claimed that the court observed cow slaughter was not a religious right of the Muslim community.

“Referring to Supreme Court judgments, the court observed that states which have imposed bans on cow slaughter are justified in doing so,” he said.

He further argued that states should make clear whether they support cow slaughter or stand in line with constitutional principles.

According to Jain, cow slaughter is already prohibited in nearly three-fourths of the country, and he reiterated the VHP’s demand for a nationwide ban while stressing the need to respect both the Constitution and Hindu religious sentiments.

Remarks on Muslim community and calls for coexistence

Jain also criticised certain Muslim leaders, alleging that they were encouraging cow slaughter within the community.

“Nowhere in the world does religion mandate cow slaughter. Why is it only in India? You are leading the Muslim community toward rebellion, violating the Constitution, and insulting Hindu sentiments,” he stated.

At the same time, he said coexistence required mutual respect for each other’s beliefs and traditions.

Bajrang Dal to monitor activities during Eid-ul-Azha

The VHP leader further stated that the organisation and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, would work to ensure full implementation of the law and push for a permanent prohibition on cow slaughter in India.

He added that Bajrang Dal teams would monitor activities during Eid-ul-Azha in an effort to prevent incidents of cow slaughter.

West Bengal government’s May 13 notification

In a notification issued on May 13, the Government of West Bengal introduced a set of guidelines prohibiting animal slaughter without a “fit certificate” issued by the authorities.

The notification also warned of penal action in cases of violation and specified that animal slaughter in open public places would be “strictly prohibited”.

Calcutta High Court refuses to stay order

While hearing the matter, the Calcutta High Court noted that the May 13 public notice had been issued to implement an order previously passed by the same court in 2018.

On Thursday, the court stated that it found no grounds to stay or set aside the notification, effectively allowing the state government’s regulatory measures to remain in force ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Agency inputs