The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal has reduced the Bakrid holidays from two days to one day, according to a notification issued by the state Finance Department Friday. The earlier two-day holiday had been introduced during the tenure of the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee.
The notification, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, stated that under an earlier order issued on November 27, 2025, May 26 and May 27, 2026, had been declared public holidays on account of “Day before Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid)” and “Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid)” respectively.
However, the fresh order said the state government had since received information that Bakrid would be observed on May 28, 2026.
“Accordingly, in partial modification of the aforesaid notification, the Governor is pleased to declare May 28, 2026 (Thursday), as a public holiday under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, on account of Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid),” the notification stated.
It further added that the previously announced holidays for May 26 and May 27 stood cancelled and that both days would now be working days for all offices, institutions, and establishments covered under the notification.
The development comes amid a controversy over the BJP Government’s guidelines regulating animal slaughter ahead of Bakrid in Bengal.
The state government has strictly enforced provisions of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, this year. Under the guidelines, only animals aged 14 years or older can be slaughtered, and slaughter requires a joint certificate issued by the chairman of a municipality or the sabhapati of a panchayat samiti, along with a government veterinary surgeon certifying that the animal is “fit for slaughter”.
Following the implementation of the guidelines, beef prices in Kolkata reportedly rose sharply from around Rs 280 per kg to nearly Rs 600 per kg.
Meanwhile, hearing petitions challenging the restrictions, the Calcutta High Court Thursday upheld the ban on cattle slaughter in public places and refused to stay the state government’s guidelines regulating slaughter ahead of Bakrid.
During the hearing, the court observed that “sacrificing a cow is not part of Eid”, while also leaving it to the state government to decide whether any relaxation in slaughter restrictions would be permitted during the festival.