BJP Govt Tightens Restrictions in West Bengal: Beef Disappears From Markets and Restaurants
Since the BJP government came to power in the Indian state of West Bengal, it has begun strictly enforcing the 1950 West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act concerning livestock and animal slaughter. As a result, a severe shortage of beef has emerged across the state, including Kolkata. The meat is rapidly disappearing from restaurants and local markets, forcing residents to make major changes to their daily diets.
The situation was highlighted in a special report by Al Jazeera. In the state assembly elections held last May, the BJP came to power, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule under the Trinamool Congress. Just four days after taking office, the new government issued a notification for the strict implementation of the existing law on animal slaughter.
Strict Restrictions and Licensing Complications
Under the new rules, cattle can only be slaughtered if they are more than 14 years old, unfit for work or seriously ill. Even then, the slaughter must take place at a designated government slaughterhouse or abattoir after obtaining a certificate from a qualified veterinary doctor.
Administrative complications have also added to the problem. Kolkata’s only government slaughterhouse in Tangra has remained virtually closed since May. In addition, the process of renewing business licences for meat traders has been stalled since the municipal body’s term expired in June. As a result, hundreds of meat traders have been without income for several months.
Impact on Restaurants and Food Habits
Due to reduced supplies and legal restrictions, the price of beef has risen from 250 rupees per kilogram to between 350 and 500 rupees. Many popular establishments, including the city’s iconic Zam Zam restaurant, have completely removed beef dishes from their menus because they are unable to maintain the required quality. At the traditional Park Street restaurant Oly Pub, its famous beef steak is also no longer regularly available.
Families that have been accustomed to eating beef since their teenage or younger years are now relying on fish, chicken or vegetables. Even in Muslim-majority districts such as Malda, there are reports of people secretly or at night obtaining beef. They are taking the risk despite fears of being caught.
Beef has long been a major part of the daily diet of a large section of West Bengal’s population, both socially and economically. However, due to the current political and legal situation, it is now becoming increasingly out of reach for ordinary people.
