Just days before the festival, more than 200 cattle remain tied to bamboo poles under open skies, enduring the intense summer heat without buyers in sight. Traders, many of whom have traveled long distances, are seen gathered in small groups under tin shelters as business activity grinds to a near halt.
A Hindu cattle seller from East Midnapur district, located approximately 130 kilometres from Kolkata, said he had taken multiple high-interest loans to purchase livestock for the Eid season. He expressed deep concern over the collapse in demand, stating, “Who will buy a cow? People are living in fear.” The seller spoke anonymously, citing fear of potential repercussions from authorities.
For decades, Dhulagarh cattle market has functioned as a key trading hub where predominantly Hindu sellers supply livestock to Muslim buyers preparing for ritual animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. The festival traditionally involves the purchase of goats, sheep, and in many cases, cattle such as steers, buffaloes, or camels, with meat distributed in equal portions among families and communities.
Although a law enacted in 1950 prohibits public slaughter of cattle, West Bengal historically witnessed limited enforcement due to its diverse cultural practices and political leadership under Marxist and centrist administrations. The state, known for its vibrant street food culture, including beef-based dishes, has long maintained a complex but functioning livestock economy.
However, the situation shifted following the electoral victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal. A week after the election, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered strict enforcement of the 1950 law, mandating that cattle slaughter require certification from government officials declaring animals fit for slaughter, and that all slaughter must take place only in designated municipal or approved facilities. The regulation also requires that animals be above 14 years of age for slaughter approval.
The enforcement has triggered widespread disruption across the meat trade. Many Hindu cattle sellers report mounting financial losses, while Muslim traders and vendors say the climate of fear has severely impacted demand and supply chains.
A Kolkata-based restaurant known as The Burger Shop announced it had discontinued its beef burgers. The co-owner Utsha stated, “Our burgers have no religion. But politics sure does.” She explained that their beef supplier was forced to shut operations after being called to a local police station and instructed to temporarily cease business. The restaurant was unable to source an alternative supplier, forcing suspension of a popular menu item that contributed significantly to revenue.
Across Kolkata, meat sellers have reported sharp price declines, with live cattle rates dropping from 400 rupees per kilogram to as low as 150 rupees. Mohammad Hasim, a 65-year-old meat shop owner operating two stores in the New Market area, said the business environment has deteriorated sharply despite decades of stable operations under valid licences. He noted reduced customer demand and earlier closing hours, with shops now shutting by early afternoon instead of evening.
At Dhulagarh, traders report heavy financial strain, with losses of approximately 5,000 rupees per unsold animal. Many sellers, who typically rely on construction labour during the rest of the year, are now facing debt pressures following failed seasonal investments.
A Muslim cattle trader identified as Sundor said he had taken a loan of one million rupees against his mother’s jewellery to finance livestock purchases. He added that his annual earnings during the festive season typically range between 1 million and 1.5 million rupees, but this year he has been unable to sell any of his 25 cattle. He stated, “What will I do now? I am really scared,” noting that he sold nearly 100 cattle in the previous year.
The Bharatiya Janata Party defended the enforcement measures. Party spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said, “The laws which were not being followed earlier are being strictly implemented now.”
Legal expert and former member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, Jayasimha Nuggehalli, observed that cattle slaughter regulations in India are often framed as animal protection measures, but in practice are closely linked to identity, trade, and rural livelihoods. He stated that developments in West Bengal reflect a broader national trend where cattle regulation has become a site of political contestation.
Beyond the cattle trade, Muslim residents in several Kolkata neighbourhoods reported additional restrictions, including instructions from newly elected legislators discouraging street prayers, a common practice during Eid and Friday congregations due to limited mosque capacity.
Markets in Mullick Bazaar and Park Circus, traditionally busy during the pre-Eid period, have seen unusually low activity, with traders reporting near-empty conditions and severe drops in business.
Activist and writer Harsh Mander described the political shift as part of a long-standing ideological agenda, stating that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has historically not reconciled with the idea of equal citizenship for Muslims. He added that the organisation, founded in 1920, has influenced multiple groups advocating a Hindu-majority national identity.
The unfolding situation in West Bengal reflects a deepening intersection of religion, politics, and commerce, leaving traders, vendors, and communities uncertain about the future of a market once central to the region’s festive economy.
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