The West Bengal government has officially declared May 28, 2026 (Thursday) as a public holiday on account of Id-Ud-Zoha, commonly known as Bakrid, revising its earlier holiday schedule for the festival. This decision was communicated through a notification issued by the state government.
Revised Holiday Schedule
According to the notification, the Governor has approved the declaration of May 28 as a public holiday for Bakrid. The statement read: “in partial modification of the aforesaid notification, the Governor is pleased to declare 28th May, 2026 (Thursday) as a public holiday on account of Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid).” Consequently, the previously announced holidays on May 26 and May 27 have been cancelled.
The notification further clarified: “Consequent upon the above, the holidays notified earlier for 26th May, 2026 (Tuesday) and 27th May, 2026 (Wednesday) on account of the Day before Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) and Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid), respectively, are hereby cancelled.” It added that May 26 and 27 “will be working days for all offices, institutions and establishments to which the aforesaid notification applies.”
Calcutta High Court Ruling on Animal Slaughter
In a separate development, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the West Bengal government’s notification restricting the slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, and buffaloes ahead of Bakr Eid. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen observed that the notification was issued in compliance with earlier court directions.
The court noted that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that the sacrifice of cows is not an essential part of Id-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 al-Adha).
While declining to interfere with the notification, the court observed that the state would be within its rights to examine whether an appropriate mechanism exists for issuing necessary certificates for animal slaughter under the provisions of the Act and Rules.
This ruling comes as the state prepares for the festival, with the revised holiday schedule now in effect.
