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In a significant victory for animal welfare, the Guwahati High Court has officially banned buffalo and bulbul bird fights in Assam, putting an end to a controversial state practice.
The court's decision nullifies a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Assam government on December 27, 2023, which permitted these events to take place during the Bhogali Bihu festival.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Devashis Baruah, who deemed the SOP unlawful, stating that it violated India’s animal protection laws.
The court highlighted that such practices are in direct violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Justice Baruah also referenced the landmark 2014 Supreme Court judgment in Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja, which had banned all forms of animal fights, thereby reinforcing the legal precedent against these events.
Animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India played a key role in the case, presenting compelling evidence of the cruelty involved in buffalo and bulbul bird fights.
The court was shown footage and reports illustrating the abuse inflicted on buffaloes, which included being slapped, jabbed with sticks, and pulled by their nose ropes to provoke aggression.
The animals often sustained injuries like bleeding wounds on their necks, ears, and faces as a result of the fights.
The plight of the bulbul birds was equally concerning. As per PETA's submissions, bulbul birds were captured, drugged, and intentionally starved to make them more aggressive.
In some instances, the birds were fed intoxicating substances to provoke fights. It was also revealed that many fights took place outside the dates sanctioned by the state SOP, making them illegal even under the government's own guidelines.
Animal rights advocates have welcomed the court’s decision as a monumental step toward ensuring the enforcement of animal welfare laws in India.
Senior advocate Diganta Das, who represented PETA India in the case, has hailed the ruling as a landmark victory for animal rights. He emphasized that the decision would serve as a precedent for similar cases across India, especially in regions where animals are used in traditional or cultural festivities.
The verdict is expected to have a lasting impact on how cultural practices involving animals are viewed in India. By reinforcing the legal principles of the Nagaraja judgment, the court has sent a strong message that animal cruelty, even under the guise of tradition, will not be tolerated.
Animal welfare organizations believe the ruling will prompt other states to reconsider similar cultural practices that involve the exploitation of animals.
With the ban now in place, the state government will have to ensure strict compliance with the court's orders. The verdict is seen as a significant step toward upholding the rights of animals and preserving India’s wildlife protection laws.
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