Eid-ul-Azha is one of the major festivals of the Muslim community, and only a few days remain. Around this festival, cattle markets have been set up in Kolkata and various districts of West Bengal.

One of the most prominent cattle markets in West Bengal is the Allah Bharsa cattle market on Rifle Range Road in Kolkata's Park Circus, where local cattle used to dominate.

But after the change of government in West Bengal, the market has been shut because of the state government's strict animal slaughter policy and licensing restrictions.

The state's BJP government has issued a notice for strict enforcement of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act of 1950. Because of complications arising from this law, the traditional Allah Bharsa market in the Rifle Range Road area of Park Circus remains closed, and clothing stalls for Eid-ul-Azha have been set up in its place.

Sheikh Sikandar, secretary of the market, declined to comment when contacted.

Every year cattle from different states used to be seen at this market, with very large animals brought in from various parts of India. This year, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the traditional Park Circus market in Kolkata has closed amid the tangle of the state's animal laws.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.