Cattle Markets Empty in West Bengal Amidst Fear of Cow Slaughter Law Enforcement

West Bengal. Cattle markets have become deserted this year in India's West Bengal state ahead of Eid al-Adha. International media have reported that a climate of fear has been created among traders, hotel owners, and the Muslim community after the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which came to power for the first time after the recent assembly elections, began strictly enforcing laws related to cow slaughter. The Dhulagarh cattle market on the outskirts of Kolkata, which usually sees thousands of buyers before Eid, appeared almost empty this year. Hundreds of cows and buffaloes were tied up for sale, but the presence of customers was minimal. Traders say that business has come to a standstill due to fear spreading within the Muslim community. In India, the Muslim community has a tradition of giving 'Qurbani' on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Many families jointly buy cows, buffaloes, goats, or sheep and distribute the meat. The decades-old business relationship between Hindu traders and Muslim buyers in West Bengal is said to have been affected this year after the political change. After winning the election, West Bengal's new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the 1950 cow slaughter law would be strictly enforced. According to that law, cows cannot be slaughtered without permission from government officials. Also, slaughter can only be done in designated government slaughterhouses. Traders say that this decision has greatly impacted the meat trade. Many meat shops in Kolkata are now closing early, and the price of beef has also dropped sharply. According to some traders, the price of beef, which used to sell for up to 400 Indian rupees per kilogram, has now fallen to 150 rupees. 'The Burger Shop' in Kolkata has also announced that its popular beef burgers are no longer being sold. Restaurant owner Utsa says, 'Our burgers had no religion, but politics has linked it with religion.' According to her, business had to be stopped after police pressured the meat suppliers. Traders in Dhulagarh market have reported suffering huge financial losses this year. Some traders had bought cows on loans and are now worried as they are not selling. Muslim trader Sundar said he took a loan of 10 lakh rupees by mortgaging his mother's jewelry to buy cows. 'Last year I sold more than a hundred cows, but this year I haven't been able to sell even one,' he said. Meanwhile, local residents have reported that offering prayers on the road has also been banned in some Muslim-majority areas of West Bengal. Markets that are usually very crowded before Eid are now almost deserted. Human rights activist and writer Harsh Mandar has accused the BJP government of implementing an 'ideological agenda.' According to him, the tendency to treat the Muslim community as second-class citizens is increasing in India. However, BJP leaders claim that they are merely implementing an old law. Party spokesperson Debajit Sarkar said, 'Laws that were not followed before are now being enforced.' Analysts say that with the change of power in West Bengal, cow slaughter, meat trade, and religious practices have become centers of political controversy. The direct impact of this is visible on the livelihoods and social relations of millions of people. Al Jazeera