In response to petitions filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday struck down the Assam government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from the previous year, which allowed buffalo and bulbul bird fights during certain periods in January.

The petition was heard by Justice Devashis Baruah, who agreed with PETA India’s argument that these fights violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and that the bulbul fights also breached the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Court further ruled that the SOP violated a 2014 Supreme Court judgment in the case of Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja.

PETA India presented evidence showing that the buffaloes were subjected to brutal treatment, including beatings, to force them into fights, while the bulbuls were starved, intoxicated, and forced to fight over food. Additionally, PETA provided examples of illegal fights taking place outside the dates allowed by the SOP, arguing that permitting such fights year-round resulted in rampant animal cruelty.

“Buffaloes and bulbuls are gentle creatures who experience pain and fear; they should not be subjected to bloody confrontations for entertainment,” said Arunima Kedia, Lead Legal Counsel for PETA India. “We are grateful to the Gauhati High Court for upholding the law and prohibiting these cruel practices.”

PETA India’s petition emphasized that the buffalo and bulbul fights violated the Constitution of India, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and various Supreme Court rulings, including Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja. The petition also highlighted that such fights were inherently cruel, causing severe suffering to the animals, and contradicted the principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion, which are central to Indian culture.

The animal protection group released statements detailing investigations into specific incidents. One such investigation revealed that during a buffalo fight in Ahatguri, Morigaon district, the animals were brutally provoked through slapping, pushing, and striking with wooden sticks. The buffaloes fought violently, sustaining serious injuries, including bloodied wounds on their necks, faces, and ears.

Another investigation in Hajo, Assam, uncovered that red-vented bulbuls – a species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act – were illegally captured and forced to fight over food. The birds, captured days before the event, were incited to fight against their natural instincts, a practice deemed illegal under wildlife protection laws.

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