Guwahati, Dec 18: In a landmark judgment, the Gauhati High Court has imposed a complete ban on Buffalo fights and Bulbuli bird fights in the state of Assam, citing animal welfare concerns.
Justice Devashis Baruah emphasized that individuals in charge of animals have a mandatory duty to ensure their welfare under Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.
The court’s decision comes after it heard two separate pleas concerning the rights of buffaloes and bulbuls. The Assam government had earlier issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) permitting animal fights during the Magh Bihu festival, which the court deemed impermissible under Article 254 of the Constitution.
The court set aside the SOP and directed the state to ensure full compliance with the PCA Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. The ban is a significant step towards upholding animal rights and ensuring compliance with national laws.
