The political confrontation between Humayun Kabir and the BJP government in West Bengal intensified sharply ahead of Eid al-Adha, as Kabir launched a strong attack on the state administration over multiple contentious issues, including restrictions on cow slaughter, limitations on Eid prayers on public roads, and the mandatory singing of Vande Mataram in madrasas.
Kabir, who currently heads the Aam Janata Unnayan Party after being expelled from the All India Trinamool Congress, directly warned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari “not to play with fire,” accusing the government of interfering in religious matters and attempting to provoke unrest within the Muslim community.
The controversy began after the West Bengal government issued fresh guidelines regulating cattle slaughter ahead of Eid al-Adha. According to the notification, no cattle or buffalo could be slaughtered unless certified in writing by authorities as being over 14 years old, permanently incapacitated, or unfit for work and breeding due to old age, deformity, injury, or incurable disease.
Although the state government clarified that the guidelines were not specifically linked to Eid celebrations, the move immediately triggered strong reactions from Muslim leaders and opposition figures.
Humayun Kabir strongly opposed the restrictions and argued that qurbani, the ritual sacrifice of animals during Eid al-Adha, is a long-standing religious practice that Muslims would continue regardless of government directives.
“The government can make a rule asking Muslims not to eat beef, but ritual sacrifice [qurbani] will continue. We won’t listen to any objections,” Kabir was quoted as saying by ANI.
The issue escalated further after a petition filed by TMC MLA Akhruzzaman in the Calcutta High Court seeking a stay on the cattle-slaughter guidelines was rejected on Thursday.
In its observations, the court reportedly referred to earlier Supreme Court rulings stating that cow sacrifice is neither an essential nor mandatory religious practice associated with Eid al-Adha under Islam.
Following the court’s refusal to intervene, Kabir intensified his criticism of the BJP government and asserted that animal sacrifice during Eid would still take place “at any cost.”
He accused the government of interfering with religious freedom and warned that Muslims would not compromise on the issue of qurbani.
“We respect the law. But qurbani will happen. Whatever is written in the Quran will happen. I want to tell Suvendu Adhikari directly not to play with fire. It may prove dangerous for you. The Muslim community will not compromise on qurbani,” Kabir stated.
The BJP, however, rejected Kabir’s accusations and defended the government’s position as a matter of enforcing existing laws and preventing illegal activities.
Samik Bhattacharya stated that illegal slaughterhouses would not be permitted to operate under any circumstances.
“Illegal slaughterhouses will not be allowed to operate,” Bhattacharya reportedly said while clarifying that the BJP was not attempting to interfere with personal food choices.
According to reports, he also stated that in a democratic country, individuals cannot be prevented from consuming beef privately, but the BJP strongly opposes open or illegal slaughter practices in public spaces.
The political dispute widened further after Kabir raised objections regarding restrictions on large-scale Eid prayers traditionally held on Kolkata’s historic Red Road.
For decades, thousands of Muslims have gathered on Red Road to offer Eid namaz during major Islamic festivals. However, after assuming power earlier this year, the BJP-led administration reportedly directed that religious gatherings and prayers would no longer be allowed on public roads and streets, citing traffic disruption and inconvenience to the public.
Kabir warned that preventing Eid prayers on Red Road could trigger widespread protests from the Muslim community.
“Eid prayers are held on Red Road. If that is not allowed in the future, there will be protests. Adequate space should be provided for offering prayers. If arrangements are not made, then pujas on roads should not be allowed either,” Kabir was quoted as saying.
The remarks sparked another sharp response from BJP leaders. Samik Bhattacharya accused Kabir of attempting to create communal tensions and warned that any effort to stop Hindu religious events would provoke strong public backlash.
“The things that Akbar, Babur, and Humayun had stopped 300–400 or 500 years ago will start happening again. They will once again stop pujas in Bengal. The people of Bengal will not stay silent. The public will not spare them,” Bhattacharya reportedly said.
The political conflict intensified even further after Kabir objected to the West Bengal government’s reported move to make the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory in madrasas across the state.
The decision reportedly came shortly after the state government introduced similar requirements in schools receiving government support.
Kabir openly opposed the move and argued that the government had no authority to impose such directives on religious educational institutions.
“Vande Mataram will not be sung in madrasas. The government has no authority to dictate such matters in madrasas,” Kabir stated.
He also warned that enforcing the directive could unite Muslims across the state in protest against the government.
In response, West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh defended the government’s position and asserted that the national song must be sung in all government-funded educational institutions, including madrasas.
“Vande Mataram will be sung in all schools and madrasas, everywhere. Wherever government funds are used, and government laws apply, the national song must be sung. This is how it is followed across the country,” Ghosh said.
The continuing war of words between Humayun Kabir and BJP leaders has significantly intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal ahead of Eid al-Adha. While Kabir has repeatedly warned about possible large-scale protests and unified Muslim resistance against government measures, the BJP administration has maintained that it will continue enforcing laws related to animal slaughter, public gatherings, and national symbols without yielding to political pressure.
