Cattle market empties as fear grips Eid preparations in India's West Bengal

Dhulagarh cattle market near Kolkata shows few customers less than a week before Eid al-Adha. More than 200 cattle remain tied in open heat while traders gather under shelter. A Hindu seller reports taking high-interest loans to buy stock for the festival but says people are living in fear and avoid purchasing. The market historically served Hindu sellers and Muslim buyers preparing for qurbani, often pooling money to sacrifice cattle and divide meat into seven shares. A 1950 law prohibits public slaughter of cattle, but enforcement was limited for decades. West Bengal’s long-standing tolerance supported a thriving meat and beef food culture. After a political change on May 6, tensions rose and market activity declined.

"Less than a week before Eid al-Adha, the sprawling Dhulagarh cattle market on the outskirts of Kolkata, the capital of India's West Bengal state, has a deserted look. Traders are huddled in groups under a tin shade while more than 200 head of cattle readied for sale before the Muslim festival remain tied to bamboo poles in the open, braving the summer heat. But there are no customers in sight."

"A Hindu seller, who had come to the market from East Midnapur district, 130km (81 miles) southwest of Kolkata, tells Al Jazeera he has taken out multiple high-interest loans to buy his stock for the festival, which falls on Wednesday and Thursday. In a state with nearly 25 million Muslims, or 27 percent of its population, it should be an occasion for good business. But, he says, this year is different."

"For decades, the Dhulagarh cattle market was visited by sellers almost all of them Hindus and Muslim buyers to prepare for a ritualistic sacrifice to mark Eid al-Adha. Besides a goat or sheep, many Muslim families often pool together money to sacrifice a steer, buffalo or camel and divide the meat in seven equal shares for the qurbani. Although a 1950 law prohibits public slaughter of cattle, the culturally diverse state of West Bengal has long been ruled by Marxists or centrist political forces that chose not to implement it strictly."

"The state and its capital became thriving food hubs, famous for the several beef and meat delicacies sold on carts along its bustling streets and in its many restaurants. But all that changed on May 6 when Prime Minister Narendra Mo"

Read at www.aljazeera.com