Since the overthrow of an autocratic regime two years ago following a student-led uprising on August 5, various social tensions have emerged within the country, with some religion-based groups sparking controversy through public actions tied to communal identity. One recurring source of dispute involves the public slaughter and consumption of beef, a practice that has led to protests and heightened communal sensitivities.
On October 14, students at Jagannath University in Dhaka held a dinner featuring beef khichuri, prepared outdoors near the campus temple. The outdoor cooking was necessitated by insufficient gas pressure indoors. The proximity of the cooking to the temple sparked objections from Hindu students, resulting in university authorities asking the organizers to relocate the event. Subsequently, the university administration issued a notice prohibiting the slaughter of animals on campus, citing public health concerns, hygiene requirements, and local legal restrictions. However, this notice was met with criticism and allegations that authorities were instituting a campus-wide ban on beef, a claim denied by the administration.
Despite the notice, on October 16 the university’s central student union (JnUCSU), whose leading members belong to the Islami Chhatra Shibir student organization, publicly purchased and slaughtered a cow on campus. The beef was then cooked and shared with students. The following day, another Islamist student group, Bangladesh Khelafat Chhatra Majlish, held a similar event including a qawwali musical program.
These public acts stand as symbolic demonstrations amid broader political and religious dynamics in the region. The cow holds profound religious significance in Hinduism, considered sacred by many adherents. In neighboring India, the current government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been criticized for using “cow protection” as a political tool linked to Hindutva ideology, which elevates Hindu cultural and political dominance. Since the BJP came to power, there have been reports of violence and discrimination against Muslims related to cow protection laws, contributing to a heightened communal atmosphere.
Some groups in Bangladesh appear to stage these public beef feasts in response to perceived oppression of Muslims in India, viewing such acts as protests or messages directed at pro-Indian elements within Bangladesh. Similar incidents have occurred previously, such as a November 2024 event where cow slaughter and a public feast took place in front of a newspaper office, aimed at criticizing the media outlet’s perceived pro-India stance. In another instance this August, a student union leader at Rajshahi University hosted a public slaughter and feast under the banner ‘BAKSUL,’ inviting participants to the ‘July ziyaafat’ event.
Critics argue these actions disrupt social harmony, contravene religious norms, and violate legal regulations. While beef consumption is permitted in Islam, public cow slaughter is viewed by many as provocative, particularly given the animal’s sacred status in Hinduism. Islamic teachings emphasize peace, communal respect, and adherence to ritual practices without inciting discord or offending others. Observers stress that such public displays, which have incited anger and protests, undermine societal cohesion and should be avoided in the interest of interfaith harmony.