By Jamshed
Khadimul-Islam alias Khadu, a resident of South Dinajpur in West Bengal, is worried about what to serve guests at his cousin’s wedding scheduled for June 3 next month. The entire family is busy finalising a menu that will mainly feature non-vegetarian dishes. After considerable discussion, the family decided to serve chicken and fish to the wedding guests.
Khadimul-Islam is not the only Muslim in West Bengal facing confusion over wedding menus. Several other Muslim families are also struggling to decide what to serve at their weddings, while some have even postponed ceremonies due to uncertainty over their non-vegetarian menu.”
All this uncertainty over wedding menus among Muslim families in West Bengal emerged after the newly formed BJP government began enforcing the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. Under the law, no cattle — including cows, bulls and buffaloes — can be slaughtered without a joint ‘fit for slaughter’ certificate issued by the local administration. Additionally, the animal must be over 14 years old and certified as having no productive or breeding utility before a slaughter certificate is granted.
Fearing legal penalties and police action, many Muslim families in West Bengal have either postponed weddings or altered their wedding menus. Before enforcement of the Animal Slaughter Act, 1950, beef was served at most Muslim weddings as it was cheap and easily available.
“‘We were initially worried about the menu for the wedding scheduled on June 3. But after extensive discussion, our family decided to serve fish and chicken to the guests,’ Khadimul-Islam told Tehelka.
He said that after the BJP government enforced the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, serving beef at weddings had virtually become out of the question. ‘Earlier, beef was served at almost every Muslim wedding in West Bengal because it was cheap and easily available,’ Khadimul added.
Khadim said that after enforcement of the Act, some Muslim families postponed their weddings due to the absence of beef, while mutton in West Bengal costs nearly Rs 1,500 per kg, making it unaffordable for many. He added that chicken does not enjoy the same prestigious status in West Bengal weddings as it does in Delhi, leaving fish as the only viable non-vegetarian option. Most Muslim families in the state traditionally serve non-vegetarian dishes at weddings, Khadim said.
According to Khadim, it is not only Muslims who are facing the impact of the Animal Slaughter Act, 1950. Many Hindus involved in the cattle trade in West Bengal are also suffering heavy losses, particularly ahead of Bakrid.
‘Many Hindus in the state took huge loans to buy cows to be sold during upcoming Bakrid. But after enforcement of the Act, their cattle are no longer being sold because it is difficult to determine the age of the animals, and traders do not know how they will obtain such fitness certificates,’ Khadim added.”
Kamru-Zama, another resident of West Bengal, told Tehelka that his elderly father had purchased cows worth nearly Rs 5 lakh through loans. However, after enforcement of the Act, no one is buying the cattle from them. As a result, he said, the family now faces heavy financial losses along with the burden of repaying loans.
According to Khadimul-Islam, members of the Ghosh community in West Bengal are largely involved in the cattle trade, while Muslims form a major section of the consumers. He said the order has adversely affected both Hindus and Muslims in the state, especially with Bakrid approaching. The development, he added, is also impacting Muslim marriages, with some weddings being postponed in the absence of beef.
