Gauhati High Court Directs Assam Government to Explain Ongoing Buffalo and Bulbul Fights, Responding to PETA’s Second Writ Petition and FIRs. Raises Concerns over Animal Welfare and Enforcement of Legal Orders in the Region.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
SILCHAR: On Thursday(7th March),the Gauhati High Court has issued a directive to the Assam government, demanding an explanation for the alleged continuation of buffalo and bulbul fights within the state. This action underscores a growing concern over animal welfare and the enforcement of legal orders in the region.
The court’s involvement was prompted by a second writ petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on February 25, accompanied by two fast information reports (FIRs). These documents allege that buffalo fights were conducted in direct violation of the court’s previous orders, highlighting a significant gap between legal mandates and their implementation.
ALSO READ: Allahabad High Court Ruling: Properties Acquired by Gangsters in Wife’s Name Can Be Seized
Justice Manish Choudhury, leading a special bench, noted that despite the court’s active stance against such activities, state authorities appeared to remain passive. The court’s order, issued on March 4, emphasized the need for immediate action, stating-
“The petitioner, through the submission of an additional affidavit, has presented certain facts indicating that despite the court’s order dated 06.02.2024, Buffalo fights (Moh Juj) continue to take place, and the authorities are not implementing suitable measures to address this issue.”
The directive from the court was clear: the state government must ensure strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)/notification and the court’s order dated February 6, 2024. This includes notifying and intimating through the district administration or competent authorities about the order and ensuring its strict adherence.
The controversy stems from the Assam government’s decision to allow traditional buffalo and bulbul fights during the Magh Bihu celebrations on January 15 and 16, an event that even saw the attendance of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This decision led to PETA filing a writ petition in early February, arguing that the animals and birds were harmed during these events, in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
ALSO READ: ‘7 Angry Women’, an Insta handle, opened a can of worms at GNLU
PETA’s stance is that the SOP issued by the Assam government was done without amending the existing laws, which constitutes a violation of national animal welfare legislation. Advocate Diganta Das, representing PETA, pointed out:
“The Assam government enacted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) without making amendments to the existing law, thereby violating the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.”
He also noted that while other states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka amended their state laws before issuing similar SOPs, Assam has not, leading to a situation where animal-to-animal fights are allowed, contradicting a Supreme Court judgment.
On the other side, Advocate D Nath, representing the state, acknowledged during the February 6 hearing that the SOP permits buffalo and bulbul fights from January 15 to 25 each year in specific areas. This admission has added fuel to the legal and ethical debate surrounding the issue.
PETA lodged two FIRs in the Nagaon district on February 25, alleging that buffalo fights continued in violation of the court’s order, with buffalos reportedly sustaining grievous injuries during these events.
ALSO READ: Supertech Chairman Ram Kishor Arora Denied Bail by Delhi HC in Money Laundering Case
The next hearing scheduled for April 1, the Assam government has been granted three weeks to file an affidavit in response to the court’s queries.
