Gauhati High Court Prohibits Buffalo and Bulbul Fighting in January
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Guwahati, Dec 17 (NationPress) In a significant ruling, the Gauhati High Court has overturned the Assam government's standard operating procedure (SOP) from last year that permitted the fighting of buffaloes and bulbul birds during January, following petitions submitted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
The case was deliberated by Justice Devashis Baruah in the Gauhati High Court.
The Court upheld PETA India's position that such fights breach the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, and additionally, the bulbul fights infringe upon the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Moreover, the Court ruled that the SOP contradicted the Supreme Court's verdict dated 7 May 2014 in the case of Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja.
PETA India provided investigative evidence indicating that buffaloes were coerced into fighting through abusive practices, leading to severe injuries, while bulbuls were starved and intoxicated to make them fight over food.
The organization also presented numerous cases of illegal fights being conducted outside the stipulated dates, arguing that the allowance of such fights at any time resulted in extensive animal suffering.
“Buffaloes and bulbuls are gentle creatures who experience pain and fear and should not be compelled to engage in brutal fights for entertainment,” stated Arunima Kedia, PETA India’s Lead Legal Counsel.
“We extend our gratitude to the Gauhati High Court for taking a stand against animal cruelty in the form of fights that blatantly violate central laws and Supreme Court directives.”
PETA India's petition highlighted that these fights contravene the Constitution of India; the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; and various judgments from the Supreme Court of India, including the aforementioned case.
The organization also emphasized that such fights are fundamentally cruel, resulting in immense pain and suffering for the animals involved, and go against the principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion, which are vital to Indian culture.
In its statement, the animal rights group reported: “An investigation into a buffalo fight conducted in Ahatguri in the Morigaon district of Assam on 16 January revealed that owners employed physical force to provoke buffaloes to fight, including slapping, pushing, and striking them with sticks. During the fights, handlers continued to inflict pain, resulting in serious injuries to the buffaloes.”
“An examination of a bulbul fight that took place in Hajo on 15 January showed that red-vented bulbuls, which are protected under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, were illegally captured and forced to fight against their natural behaviors. These birds are reportedly caught days before the fights, which constitutes illegal hunting,” it concluded.
