Kolkata, May 22 -- West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul on Friday defended the state government's new notification enforcing the animal slaughter control act, asserting that the rules have existed since 1950, but weren't implemented owing to "vote bank politics".

Speaking to ANI, Paul also criticised Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir's dissent against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) government in the state following his assertion that ritual sacrifice (Kurbani) will continue despite objections, as it is a 1,400-year-old tradition.

Reacting to this, the West Bengal Minister stated that Kabir must adhere to the regulations if he wishes to stay in the state. She added that if he feels he cannot follow the laws of the ...