Despite SC ban buffalo fight held in Assam

GUWAHATI: Despite Supreme Court’s ban in several places in Assam traditional buffalo fight was organised on Monday.

In Magh Bihu celebration (which is held in month of January) the buffalo fights are organised as a part of the age old tradition.

The Supreme Court in 2014 passed an order prohibiting all animal races and fights, thereby directing the Animal Welfare Board of India and the government to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.


In Assam’s Ahatguri thousands of people gathered to witness around least 30 pairs of buffalo fighting.

A state government official said that earlier registered committee use to organise the event. However after the Supreme Court ban they refrained from doing it. “Now the fight is organised by the buffalo owners without any official permission from the district administration.”

Ahatguri is known to be a popular place where buffalo fights have been taking place in large tournaments since 1972. Buffalo owners argued, “ This event is a part of tradition and we have been doing this for last several years

Hayagriba Madhav temple at Hajo refrained from holding the traditional Bulbul (songbird) fight on the Magh Bihu day.

Ashwini Kumar Sarma, a member of Hayagriba Madhav management committee,” There is no fight here. Last year we approached the state government if we can continue with our traditional Bulbul fight, but we did not succeed.”