Guwahati, Jan 15: The Assam government has revived the bulbul (a songbird) fight, which is an age-old Magh Bihu tradition at Hajo near here, after a nine-year hiatus following a ban by the Gauhati High Court responding to pleas that the practice was cruel to bulbuli birds.
After witnessing the bulbul bird fight at Sri Hayagriva Madhav Mandir at Hajo on Monday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared on his official microblogging site, X, glimpses of the competition that dates back to the days of Ahom King Swargadeo Pramatta Singha.
“Breathing life into our ancient customs and rituals has been a cornerstone of our policies. After nearly a decade, I was able to witness the bulbuli fight, a quintessential Bihu tradition which was recently revived by our government,” the chief minister said.
The Assam Cabinet had, in December 2023, approved detailed standard operating procedures (SoPs) for conducting this ancient Bihu tradition during Magh Bihu celebrations in Assam.
The Assam government has also established SOPs to ensure the prevention of animal cruelty during the traditional buffalo fights at Ahotguri in Morigaon district and ensure that the traditions are upheld keeping in mind the welfare of the animals during the competitions.
According to the new regulations, buffalo fights can only take place in places where such events have been held for a minimum of 25 years. The duration of combat is limited to 10 days commencing from January 15 up until January 25, 2024 and the fights must be restricted between 7am and 4 pm.
The organising committees of these Bihu competitions have been warned against any breach of the SOPs and any violation might lead to severe consequences such as a five-year prohibition on both buffalo and bulbul bird fights.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court, had 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.