MARGAO: Politicians along the Salcete and Vasco belt welcomed the decision of Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa to refer Dhirios aka bullfights to the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court considering that the Tamil Nadu Governor brought in an ordinance on Jallikatu in Tamil Nadu.
Mr Parrikar mentioned that the ban on bullfights by the then environment minister Jairam Ramesh hurt the traditional sport in Goa and Tamil Nadu.
“I think it’s a good decision considering bullfights as a part of Goan tradition and dhirios is a sport and not cruelty or aimed at killing animals. I feel dhirios can adapt certain safety standards but a traditional sport derecognised is not a way forward and simply calls for legalities. So Parrikar’s decision is good and I even feel we should go a step ahead and move a similar ordinance through the governor in the state of Goa itself,” explained TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai.
Meanwhile, Curtorim Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco approaching caution on the matter referred to Parrikar’s move as a poll gimmick keeping Central elections in mind. Reginaldo reminded that legalising of bullfights is an issue brought up by BJP as a poll issue but can be discussed only after real action is taken.
“I am watching him closely. Parrikar’s attempt to rake up bullfights is the outcome of the BJP poll drubbing in Rajasthan. Until he really approaches the SC and fights for the cause, there’s not much to say and comment,” asserted Reginaldo who admits that people in his constituency are hurt by the fact that bullfights are considered illegal.
Meanwhile, Jose Philip D’Souza, speaking on behalf of the NCP which has a lone MLA in the Goa Assembly, Churchill Alemao, stated that “it’s a good decision and obviously no MLA or politician will question that decision of his to approach the Supreme Court but we can hail the move only when he really approaches or there’s an outcome. After all it’s a collective voice calling for legalisation of bullfights. There’s not a single politician who opposes dhirios.”
Salcete bullfight members recall an incident wherein the then Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar reminding Xaxtikars at Margao that his then constituency Pernem has something common with Salcete and that being dhirios and he had called for unity of Goa to fight for the legalisation of bullfights.
While villagers in Benaulim and Curtorim feel there needs to be safety standards to ensure the safety of the spectators and the bullfighting should have special arenas and even legal rules for betting rather the manner in which they’re currently carried out.
Also former Benaulim MLA Caitu D’Silva, who worked with Parrikar closely on this matter and ultimately fell out with the Chief Minister before the polls last year, asserted that he recalls that Parrikar himself in the past said no to legalisation of dhirios while he hopes that the CM now has made a change of mind.
“Parrikar has my and Vijai’s full support. It’s his party ruling at the state and Centre and if he can go ahead and legalise dhirios, nothing like it. I hope he does it for Goa this time. I am willing to support him thoroughly,” said Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao.
