West Bengal shifts Bakrid holiday to May 28, cancels earlier dates | India News
The West Bengal government has declared a public holiday on May 28 due to Eid-ud-Joha (Bakrid), revising the holiday schedule ahead of the festival.In a notification, the state government said, “In partial modification of the above notification, the Governor is pleased to declare May 28, 2026 (Thursday) as a public holiday on account of Eid-ud-Zoha (Bakrid).“The government has also canceled the previously announced holiday of May 26 and May 27. “Consequent to the above, the previously declared holidays for Eid-ud-Zoha (Bakrid) and preceding days of Bakrid (Bakrid) on May 26, 2026 (Tuesday) and May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) are hereby cancelled,” the notification said.It also said that May 26 and 27 “will be working days for all offices, establishments and institutions to which the aforesaid notification applies.”Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the West Bengal government’s notification banning the slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves and buffaloes ahead of Bakr Eid next week.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Pal and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen observed that the notification was issued in compliance with earlier directions given by the court.In its order, the court noted that the Supreme Court had earlier held that cow sacrifice is not an essential part of Eid-Uz-Zuha and is not a mandatory religious practice under Islam.The bench was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the guidelines issued by the West Bengal government under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act ahead of Bakr Eid.Eid-ul-Azha)While declining to interfere with the notification, the Court observed that the State would be within its rights to examine whether there exists a proper process for issuing certificates required for slaughter of animals under the provisions of the Act and Rules.
