On Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that 16 individuals had been arrested across the state for allegedly engaging in illegal cattle slaughter during the Muslim festival of Bakri Eid. Authorities identified five unauthorized slaughter sites in the Cachar and Karimganj districts, with nine arrests in Cachar and seven in Sribhumi.
The crackdown comes under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, which restricts cattle slaughter and the sale of beef in areas largely inhabited by non-beef-eating communities, or within five kilometers of temples and Vaishnavite monasteries. While beef consumption is not illegal in Assam, the Act regulates where and how cattle may be slaughtered.
Chief Minister Sarma stated that the government remains committed to upholding both the rule of law and communal harmony. “While our Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom, it equally upholds the rule of law and public order,” he said, adding that strict action would be taken against anyone violating the law, regardless of religious background.
A similar incident occurred in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, where police arrested 11 individuals after meat suspected to be beef was discovered near an eidgah. The accused reportedly slaughtered an animal from the cow family on an open plot of land, sparking protests from local groups. A case was registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, and the meat samples were sent for forensic analysis as investigations continue.
These incidents have reignited debate over the intersection of religious practices and state laws, particularly during Bakri Eid, a festival traditionally marked by animal sacrifice. Officials in both states have reiterated their stance on enforcing existing laws while striving to preserve communal peace. However, the developments have highlighted ongoing tensions and the legal, cultural, and religious complexities surrounding cattle slaughter in India.