The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that no cow slaughter takes place in public places across the State during Bakrid celebrations, reiterating that slaughter could be carried out only in designated and licensed locations as permitted under law.
A division bench comprising Justices G. R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by a youth wing member of Indu Makkal Katchi ahead of Bakrid celebrations scheduled for Wednesday.
During the hearing, the judges questioned how cow slaughter could be permitted in public places when existing rules clearly allowed slaughter only in designated facilities. The Bench observed that the entire responsibility for implementation of the court’s directions would lie with the district administration and the police machinery across Tamil Nadu.
BREAKING Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan of #MadrasHighCourt ask how can cow slaughter be permitted in public places during Bakrid when such slaughter could be done only in designated places. They raise the question during the hearing of a public interest…
— Mohamed Imranullah S (@imranhindu) May 27, 2026
The court directed the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu as well as the Director General of Police to ensure strict compliance with the rules governing animal slaughter and public order during the festival period.
BREAKING Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan of #MadrasHighCourt order that Tamil Nadu government must ensure that no cow slaughter is allowed in public places across Tamil Nadu in view of Bakrid festival tomorrow since the rules permit slaughter only in designated…
— Mohamed Imranullah S (@imranhindu) May 27, 2026
High Court Recalls Similar 2020 Order
During the hearing, the Bench referred to a similar order passed by the Madras High Court in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic period, when concerns had been raised regarding public slaughter of animals during Bakrid celebrations.
That earlier order had been passed by a Bench comprising Justices Vineet Kothari and Krishnan Ramasamy while hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by the Madurai North Indian Welfare Association.
The High Court had then directed the State government to ensure that animals were slaughtered only in licensed slaughterhouses and not in public places during Bakrid or any other religious festival.
The Bench had also directed authorities to ensure that only legally permitted categories of animals were slaughtered and not prohibited categories such as cows and camels in States where such slaughter was banned.
The 2020 order came amid fears that public animal trading and slaughter could contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Finding merit in those concerns, the judges had directed strict enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, as well as rules governing transportation of animals.
The High Court had also asked the Tamil Nadu government to consider issuing guidelines similar to those issued by Maharashtra and Karnataka at the time. Maharashtra had requested citizens to opt for symbolic sacrifice during Bakrid and avoid public gatherings amid the pandemic.
In its 2020 order, the Bench had emphasised compliance with animal protection laws and urged political leaders, religious leaders and social activists to promote “friendliness with animals and non-violence.”
The court had then quoted both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru while stressing compassion towards animals and adherence to statutory rules.
With the latest directions issued by the Bench of Justices Swaminathan and Lakshminarayanan, the High Court has once again reminded the Tamil Nadu administration that animal slaughter during Bakrid must strictly remain confined to legally authorised slaughterhouses and designated facilities, and not be permitted in public spaces.
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