PETA seeks ban on buffalo, bulbul fighting in Assam in Gauhati High Court
Guwahati: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has approached the Gauhati High Court seeking a ban on traditional buffalo and bulbul bird fighting, which was restarted in Assam after a gap of nine years. Was.
Filing two separate writ petitions (WP(C) No.: 466/2024 and 468/2024), PETA India alleged multiple violations of central law in the conduct of these events and these two types of fights in Assam. Presented your investigation.
In its first hearing on Tuesday, a single-judge bench of Justice Manish Chaudhary heard both the sides and fixed February 1 as the next date for both the linked petitions.
The petitions were filed against the Government of Assam, represented by the Chief Secretary, Commissioner and Secretary of the Home and Political Department and the Animal Welfare Board of India.
“Buffaloes and bulls are gentle animals, who feel pain and terror, and do not want to be forced into bloody combat in front of a jeering crowd.
“PETA India hopes that the Gauhati High Court will recognize that this cruelty is a clear violation of central law and ban these violent fights,” PETA India Advocacy Associate Tushar Cole said in a statement.
The petitions filed in the HC stated that buffalo and bulbul fighting violates the Constitution of India, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and several judgments of the Supreme Court of India.
“PETA India also notes that such fights are inherently cruel, cause immeasurable pain and suffering to the animals forced to participate, and contradict the principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion, which Are an integral part of Indian culture and tradition.
“Allowing these incidents to continue is a retrograde step that threatens to undo nearly a decade of progress in human and animal rights,” the organization said.
On January 15, the traditional bulbul bird fight was organized after a gap of almost nine years following a new set of guidelines issued by the Assam government. It was earlier put on hold due to restrictions imposed by the judiciary.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his family members visited the Hayagriva Madhava temple at Hajo in Kamrup district and witnessed a bird fight along with hundreds of visitors on the day of Magh Bihu.
“Reviving our ancient customs and traditions has been the cornerstone of our policies. After almost a decade, I was able to watch the bulbul fight, a quintessential Bihu tradition that was recently revived by our government,” he had said after the watch.
Similarly, the government’s standard operating procedure (SOP) also allowed buffalo fights with certain precautions, which took place in Morigaon, Sivasagar and some Upper Assam districts on January 16.
Watching buffalo fights at Ahatguri in Morigaon, Sarma said, “The 2014 Supreme Court order had banned their organisation, but we are resuming our traditional event with great pleasure. I urge the organizers and buffalo owners to follow the SOPs and ensure that no harm is caused to the animals.
“It is our duty to preserve and carry forward our heritage, but responsibly,” he said.
