West Bengal’s new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has reduced the public holiday for Bakrid to one day, reversing a two-day break announced earlier by the previous Trinamool Congress administration, according to local media reports.
Under a notification issued by the state finance department, government offices and institutions will remain open on Tuesday and Wednesday, with only Thursday, May 28, to be observed as a public holiday for Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid.
“Information has been received that Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) will be observed on May 28, 2026 (Thursday),” the notification said.
Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant festivals in Islam, commemorates the spirit of sacrifice and is traditionally marked by animal sacrifice.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny over animal slaughter regulations in the state ahead of the festival.
Earlier this month, the government led by Suvendu Adhikari said provisions of the state’s Animal Slaughter Control Act would be strictly enforced. The measures require certificates before slaughtering animals such as buffaloes, cows and bulls, prohibit public slaughter, and direct officials to carry out inspections to ensure compliance.
On Thursday, the Calcutta High Court declined to stay a state government notification regulating cattle slaughter ahead of Bakrid. During the hearing, the court observed that “sacrificing a cow is not part of Eid”, according to reports.
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