Court Halts Buffalo and Bulbul Fights at Magh Bihu Festival

The Gauhati High Court has quashed an Assam government order allowing buffalo and bulbul fights during the Magh Bihu festival, citing violations of wildlife protection and animal cruelty laws. Despite the state's attempt to regulate these traditional events, the court ruled that changing existing laws is necessary for their legality.

The Gauhati High Court has quashed an Assam government SOP that permitted buffalo and bulbul fights during the Magh Bihu festival, instructing the state to comply with existing wildlife protection laws.

A bench led by Justice Devashis Baruah referenced a 2014 Supreme Court order and petitions from PETA India, deeming the December 2023 notification as non-compliant.

The court emphasized that only legislative amendments, as done in other states, could permit such events, countering the executive order with firm legal grounding to curb animal cruelty.

(With inputs from agencies.)