Assam to enact new law for allowing buffalo fights: Himanta

Assam CM plans new law to legalize traditional buffalo fights, preserving state heritage and following Supreme Court guidelines.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday (February 1, 2025) said his government would bring a new law to allow buffalo fights in the State.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a bridge here, Mr. Sarma said the government will take the initiative to preserve the heritage of the State.

"The buffalo fight of Ahatguri is our tradition and heritage. Even the Supreme Court had recognised it as a traditional game. Following its guidelines, we will soon enact a law allowing traditional sports like buffalo fight," he said.

The State government will very soon introduce a Bill in the Assembly, seeking legal protection for the buffalo fight, he added.

Mr. Sarma said, "With the enactment of the law, people will be able to watch and enjoy the traditional buffalo fight." In December last year, the Gauhati High Court scrapped an Assam government SOP of 2023 which had allowed buffalo and bulbul bird fights during the Magh Bihu festivities in the month of January every year.

The court had further held that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was in violation of a Supreme Court judgement of May 2014.

On January 15 last year, traditional bulbul bird fights were organised after a hiatus of around nine years following a new set of guidelines issued by the Assam government.