Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that his government would soon introduce a law to legally sanction buffalo fights in the state, preserving a key part of Assam’s cultural heritage.
The CM emphasized that buffalo fights, especially the traditional event in Ahatguri, have been recognized as a heritage sport, even by the Supreme Court.
In a public meeting after inaugurating a bridge, Sarma stated, “The buffalo fight of Ahatguri is our tradition and heritage. Even the Supreme Court had recognized it as a traditional game. Following its guidelines, we will soon enact a law allowing traditional sports like buffalo fight.”
The proposed legislation will seek to provide legal protection for the practice, allowing people to continue enjoying the traditional buffalo fights.
A bill will soon be introduced in the Assam Assembly to formalize this protection.
This announcement follows the Gauhati High Court’s scrapping of an Assam government Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for 2023, which had allowed buffalo and bulbul bird fights during the Magh Bihu festivities. The court ruled that the SOP violated a 2014 Supreme Court judgment.
Despite this setback, the state government has expressed its intention to push forward with legislation that ensures the safety and regulation of such events.
The buffalo fights, which take place in various districts including Morigaon, Sivasagar, and Upper Assam, are most famously held in Ahatguri. The bulbul bird fights, traditionally held in Hajo, Kamrup district, are also a part of the Magh Bihu celebrations and are set to continue with adherence to safety guidelines.
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