Assam to Amend Animal Act to Allow Traditional Buffalo Fights During Bhogali Bihu

In a significant cultural decision, the Assam government has announced that it will amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 to allow the continuation of traditional buffalo fights held every year during Bhogali Bihu. The move comes after the Gauhati High Court reinstated the ban earlier this year, citing violations of existing animal protection laws.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the development on Sunday, November 23, after a detailed state cabinet meeting. His announcement has sparked both relief among traditionalists and renewed debate among animal rights groups.

Why the Amendment Is Being Considered

Speaking to the press, the chief minister said that the High Court’s prohibition had left little legal room for organisers.

“Gauhati High Court had reinstated the prohibition on buffalo fight as buffaloes are protected under the Act,” Sarma said.

He also pointed out that a similar situation had played out in Tamil Nadu years ago, when the Supreme Court banned the popular bull-taming sport Jallikattu. The ban was later lifted only after the Tamil Nadu government amended the same Act to protect the sport as part of its cultural heritage.

Sarma added:

“Today, the cabinet took a decision to similarly amend the Act so that the traditional buffalo fight can be continued in Assam like the bullock fight in Jallikattu.”

The government believes that this amendment will offer legal protection to cultural practices that have existed in Assam for generations.

Background: Court Orders That Led to the Ban

The decision follows a December 17 order of Gauhati High Court, which banned both buffalo fights and bulbul bird fights in Assam. The court struck down the Standard Operating Procedure prepared by the state government, saying that such practices were in clear violation of:

• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Animal rights organisation PETA India played a central role in bringing the matter to the court. The petition argued that buffaloes involved in the fights suffer from stress, physical injury, and sometimes permanent harm. According to the organisation, the practice is inherently cruel, and continuing it would contradict national laws aimed at protecting animals.

Cultural Tradition vs. Legal Restrictions

Buffalo fights, locally known as Moh-Juj, are strongly associated with Bhogali Bihu, a harvest festival celebrated in January. These fights are most prominently held in Ahotguri in Morigaon district, though other regions also organise similar events.

For many local communities, buffalo fights are more than entertainment—they symbolize:

• community bonding
• rural identity
• festive pride
• age-old cultural continuity

Villagers spend months preparing their buffaloes, feeding them special diets and training them carefully. Some residents describe it almost like preparing an athlete for a major tournament.

A resident of Morigaon shared informally with a local reporter that he felt the ban was “a blow to tradition,” adding that the festival did not feel complete without the event. These sentiments are widely echoed across rural Assam.

However, this cultural pride has been in tension with modern animal welfare norms. Courts have repeatedly emphasized that tradition cannot override national laws when they lead to cruelty.

Learning From the Jallikattu Precedent

One of the biggest comparisons being drawn is with Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu, where young men attempt to hold onto the hump of a running bull. The Supreme Court had banned the sport in 2014, citing animal cruelty issues. Massive public protests followed, arguing that the sport was integral to Tamil tradition.

Eventually, the Tamil Nadu government amended state laws and made special provisions within the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This allowed the sport to resume in a regulated manner.

Assam’s move appears to be following a similar path. The state wants to create a legal framework that recognises buffalo fights as a traditional cultural practice while adding guidelines to ensure safety and reduce cruelty.

What Could Change After the Amendment?

Though the final draft of the amendment has not yet been released, policy experts believe it may include provisions such as:

Possible Regulations Being Discussed

• strict medical checks for participating buffaloes
• ban on using harmful substances, sharp objects, or intoxication
• trained handlers and veterinary teams present during events
• designated arenas with safety measures
• limits on the duration and intensity of fights

These measures would aim to balance cultural tradition with modern animal welfare standards. However, animal rights groups insist that no regulatory framework can fully eliminate stress or harm to the animals.

A senior Guwahati-based veterinarian noted that buffalo fights, by nature, involve confrontation and physical force. While regulations may reduce the severity, he said, “It’s important to accept that the risk cannot be removed entirely.”

Supporters See It as Cultural Protection

Many cultural organisations and festival committees have welcomed the government’s decision. They argue that buffalo fights have survived centuries and are deeply woven into the identity of the region.

Some also feel that banning the practice impacts rural economies. Small vendors, food stalls, local transport providers, and artisans often depend on the festive gatherings for income during Bhogali Bihu. The ban had, indirectly, affected these seasonal economic activities.

Animal Rights Groups Remain Concerned

While supporters rejoice, animal welfare organisations are cautious. PETA India has consistently argued that such fights violate the core spirit of animal protection laws.

They have maintained that traditions need to evolve with time, and that cultural identity should not come at the cost of animal suffering. Whether they will challenge the amendment legally or accept the regulatory safeguards remains to be seen.

Real-World Example of the Challenge

A similar issue arose in Nagaland, where the traditional practice of dog meat consumption became a major legal and ethical controversy. Eventually, the state moved towards stricter regulations and bans, following national animal welfare guidelines.

Experts point out that India’s cultural landscape is diverse, and conflicts between tradition and animal rights are becoming more frequent. Finding a middle ground is often complicated and emotionally charged.

What Happens Next?

The amendment process will require:

• drafting by the state’s legal department
• approval by the cabinet
• tabling and passing in the Assam Legislative Assembly

Once the amendment comes into effect, the state will need to develop clear rules and monitoring systems. Organisers may also be required to register events and ensure compliance with new guidelines.

For now, many in Assam hope that the change will allow the upcoming Bhogali Bihu to be celebrated in its complete traditional form.

FAQs

1. Why were buffalo fights banned earlier?

The Gauhati High Court banned them citing violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

2. What exactly is the Assam government amending?

The state plans to amend the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to legally permit buffalo fights under regulated conditions.

3. Are buffalo fights similar to Jallikattu?

Both are traditional events involving animals and face legal restrictions under the same central law. Assam is following Tamil Nadu’s example in amending the Act.

4. Will the fights return this Bhogali Bihu?

It depends on how quickly the amendment process moves. The government aims to complete it before the festival.

5. Is the amendment final?

The cabinet has approved the decision, but the legal amendment still needs to go through legislative procedures.

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