Assam: A large public meeting was convened at the Barpujia Sports Ground in Central Assam on Saturday, resulting in the formation of “Moh Juj Suraksha Samiti Assam,” an advocacy group aimed at challenging the recent Gauhati High Court ruling that upheld the ban on traditional buffalo fights.
The meeting, which drew over 300 stakeholders, highlighted the cultural and economic significance of buffalo fighting, a practice deeply rooted in the traditions of Assam. Participants voiced concerns about the impact of the ban, which was enforced after a petition from the animal rights organization PETA, extending to buffalo fights as well as ‘Bulbuli’ bird fights. The gathering emphasized the importance of buffalo fighting as a cultural heritage and a source of livelihood for organizers and buffalo owners.
Presided over by Pradeep Bordoloi, the meeting saw the participation of individuals from Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, and Karbi Anglong, alongside 25 members of the Buffalo Fight Association. Discussions revolved around the cultural importance of the practice, the legal challenges posed by the ban, and the strategies to address them.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the formal establishment of the “Moh Juj Suraksha Samiti Assam,” with Baboolal Nath from Nagaon appointed as the president and Prashant Dewari from Morigaon as the general secretary. The organization also formed a 31-member executive committee tasked with managing its operations and advocating for the preservation of buffalo fighting and the interests of those involved in organizing these events.
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