When it comes to Goa’s most popular underground sport Dhirio bull-fighting in local parlance, the State Government appears to be at crossroads.
After forming a legislative committee last year to examine ways and means to resume the popular blood-sport, which involves two well-groomed bulls head-butting one another until one beast wins, the State administration on Wednesday issued a formal warning to bullfight aficionados reminding that the sport was still illegal.
The public notice “directed that all types of animals fights, including Bull fights/Dhirios, are prohibited in Goa and if any person violating the above order passed by the High Court shall be liable for criminal action as per law”.
The public notice followed a string of bullfights, many of which were busted by police raids, which were organised in villages along the more populous coastline, where the sport is popular.
The Humane Society International (HSI) India, which has been campaigning against legalisation of bullfights in Goa, has claimed the Government articulation of the ban a “landmark victory”.
“We are grateful for the progressive decision taken by the Government of Goa. It reflects the constitutional value of compassion. With this, we hope that the house committee is dissolved and the law enforcement agencies duly implement the law,” HSI’s cruelty response manager Shreya Paropkari told The Pioneer. “Dhirio is an unbelievably cruel practice that involves forcing two bulls to fight each other until only one remains standing or both animals are grievously wounded,” she further said.
The HSI had also got endorsement for their campaign from former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and former deputy prime minister lK Advani.