Kolkata, May 20 (IANS) Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief and MLA, Humayun Kabir, on Wednesday “warned” the BJP government in West Bengal, saying any attempt to prohibit ‘qurbani (ritualistic animal sacrifice)’ on the upcoming ‘Bakrid’ festival won’t be entertained by the Muslim community.

His reaction was in response to the Bengal government’s May 13 notice on ‘Animal Slaughter Guidelines’.

The notice made it mandatory to obtain a fit-for-slaughter certificate before slaughtering bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, buffaloes, buffalo calves and castrated buffaloes. The notice barred public slaughter of these animals and said officials carrying out inspections to enforce the order should not face any obstruction.

Speaking to IANS, Humayun Kabir said: “As many as 37 per cent Muslims eat beef. If they want to ban all this, then first, all slaughter houses should be sealed, which have been given licences to slaughter cows.”

He asserted that law must be respected but ‘qurbani’ would still take place.

“According to Quran, animals which are legitimate for ‘qurbani’, will be sacrificed,” he said.

He stressed: “I am warning the BJP government. I am directly telling (Chief Minister) Suvendu Adhikari to not play with fire. If they try to ban ‘qurbani’, it will create problems for them. The Muslim community will not compromise on qurbani under any circumstances.”

Moreover, Kabir pointed out that the Indian government exports and imports beef.

“The BJP government is earning thousands of crores as taxes by supplying beef,” he further said.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday heard a plea challenging the West Bengal government’s notification regulating cattle slaughter.

Separately, Humayun Kabir urged the Suvendu Adhikari-led government to provide a ground for offering ‘namaz’ on Bakrid.

He made it clear that if the arrangement for a ground was not made then “namaz will be offered on the road just like it has been taking place for so many years”.

He mentioned that Muslim community members have been offering Eid prayers at Kolkata’s Red road, officially known as Indira Gandhi Sarani.

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, opposed offering of ‘namaz’ on public roads, asserting that religious gatherings involving large numbers of people should be conducted in an organised manner at designated places and, if required, in shifts to avoid overcrowding and disruption.

–IANS

cg/rad