CS: The Law Commission wrote to me as I was heading this House Committee in the Legislative Assembly on Dhirios that they don’t have a clear definition on what is Dhirios, what is the concept, who are the stakeholders, what are the legal implications required and they asked my committee to present a complete report on dhirio and organizing bull fights.
CS: I’ll admit that there has not been much progress in that area. I had written to many bull owners, dhirio organizers and even the Goa Bull Owners and Bull Fight Organizers group, to give me data and details on dhirios. Till date, they have not responded. If they were not interested, what can I do? I’m still awaiting some kind of inputs from them. I can put together data and facts based on my knowledge but that should represent the ground reality on dhirio.
CS:My personal thoughts are what prompted the Chief Minister to allow me to head this committee. I believe that Dhirio needs to be organized in a better manner, ensuring safety of the spectators and also providing assistance to bull owners who spend in lakhs to maintain such expensive bulls. Also dhirio is very unique to Goa and hence we need to preserve that part of our heritage. Stadiums and spectator stands need to build for dhirios. The haphazard manner how it is held in fields and open spaces and the illegal betting in dhirios is not the way forward.
Herald: You’ve been part of the house committee on Dhirios. What has progressed till date?
Aleixo: I have not attended a single meeting of the house committee on Dhirios. There are many ways to bring legislation to legalise Dhirio’s and the house committee has nothing to do with legislation. When Manohar Parrikar was Chief Minister he had many techniques of buying time and making it look like he was looking into the matter. Setting up a house committee was another method of buying time to make it look like he was doing something about it but it was just another U-turn.
Herald: From Manohar Parrikar to Laxmikant Parsekar to Francisco Sardinha, a lot has been promised on dhirios…
Aleixo: Now, I’m not at the helm of affairs, like any other politician or MLA in Goa. My fate is, however, locked in the EVMs. Let counting get over, let us see where we stand post-counting and what happens to the government formation and then we can discuss these issues. But the ground reality, as of now, is that the previous government did nothing for dhirio fans, bull lovers and bull fights.
Herald: What do you suggest is the best way forward for the Dhirios issue?
Aleixo: Whoever comes to power, will have to decide the best way forward. Ordinances, legislations are work of the people in power and not to sit in committees and discuss these issues only to prolong them with no solutions.
Herald: It’s believed that you are against Dhirios and don’t want to promote the sport?
Aleixo: Those are wild allegations made against me since I have not been vocal on the issue. Lot needs to be considered in the Dhirio issue from cruelty to animals, expenses and responsibilities of those raise these bulls, safety of spectators, deciding on a stadium for such activities and the betting aspect. If certain people enjoy dhirio then let them enjoy bull fights who am I to stop them. If the government needs to give a nod on Dhirio, then it’s the government’s job, not mine, at least, unless I am in Power. Hence I’m saying lets re-visit this issue post-March 11.
