Kolkata cleric asks Muslims to refrain from cow slaughter on Eid
Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 19-05-2026
Nakhoda Mosque and Imam Maulana Muhammad Shafiq Qasmi (inset)
New Delhi / Kolkata
An influential cleric from West Bengal, Maulana Muhammad Shafiq Qasmi, Imam of Masjid Nakhoda in Kolkata, has appealed to Muslims to refrain from sacrificing cows during Eid-ul-Adha, citing the Hindu community’s reverence for the animal as sacred.
He said such a step could help avoid controversies, legal complications, and communal tensions while promoting goodwill and social harmony.
The cleric’s appeal drew appreciation from BJP leader and West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul. Referring to the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, she said slaughtering cows above the age of 14 requires official certification.
“The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, mandates that if a cow is to be slaughtered after the age of 14, a certificate is required. I thank Maulana Shafiq Qasmi for his appeal,” she said.
#WATCH | Howrah: On the Imam of Nakhoda Masjid, Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasmi's statement, West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul says, "The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, said that if you want to slaughter the cow after the age of 14, a certificate will be… https://t.co/up4trUSVgxpic.twitter.com/yyzLeMRctJ
Maulana Qasmi also urged Muslims to avoid consuming beef, saying it often leads to disputes and legal complications. He further appealed to the government to declare the cow as the national animal and impose a nationwide ban on its sale, purchase, slaughter, and export for meat.
According to the cleric, his appeal has been receiving growing support among Muslims in Bengal. He said many people now believe that avoiding cow sacrifice is the best way to prevent recurring conflicts and ensure communal peace.
In a special interview, Maulana Qasmi said the laws governing cow slaughter are not new and have existed since 1950. However, he noted that while earlier governments were not strict in implementing these regulations, the current administration is enforcing them more rigorously.
He urged Muslims to perform religious sacrifices strictly within the framework of the law and avoid any illegal activity.
According to the existing regulations, he said:
The sacrificial animal must be at least 14 years old.
A certificate from an authorised veterinary surgeon is mandatory.
Slaughter can only take place at designated slaughterhouses.
At the same time, he appealed to the government to provide adequate facilities before strictly enforcing these rules during Eid-ul-Adha.
Maulana Qasmi pointed out that even in a major city like Kolkata, there is a shortage of government veterinary doctors and licensed slaughterhouses, making it difficult for ordinary people to comply with all legal requirements.
An Imam from Kolkata:
🗣️ “The state government has issued a notification banning cow slaughter.
— We appeal to all Muslims to STOP cow slaughter & permanently stop consuming BEEF as well.”
— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) May 17, 2026
“If the government ensures the availability of slaughterhouses and veterinary facilities in every area, compliance with the law will become easier,” he said.
He also encouraged Muslims to promote the sacrifice of goats, sheep, and other permissible animals, saying it would economically benefit Muslim livestock breeders while also preventing unnecessary social tensions.
Clarifying his stand, the cleric said Muslims wish to fulfil their religious obligations within the bounds of the law and are not in favour of any conflict.
“A Muslim can remain a good Muslim even by eating vegetables, fish, chicken, or goat meat. If the sentiments of our Hindu brothers are hurt, we should respect those sentiments,” he said.
Emphasising communal harmony and peace, Maulana Qasmi said all sensitive issues should be resolved through tolerance, wisdom, and legal means.
Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media reportedly show that after the cleric’s appeal, the buying and selling of cows has sharply declined in several parts of Bengal.
The development has also created difficulties for people who traditionally rear cows for sale during Bakr Eid, with reports from various districts suggesting that many Muslim buyers are now reluctant to purchase cattle.
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