Team Herald
PANJIM: In what will be music to the ears of dhirio aficionados, but cause angst among animal lovers, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said he is seeking a solution to allow bullfights in Goa.
“I am planning to find a solution either by cutting the sharp edge of the horns of the bulls or by putting some safety cap on it and allowing bullfights,” Parsekar said.
Encouraging bullfights, Parsekar said it could fetch the State revenue, adding that in future grounds may come up for bullfights just as they do for football.
“Goa is known for different types of festivals. I feel even bullfights, if they are brought within the purview of legal framework and proper rules, could be a tourist attraction in Goa,” Parsekar told the media.
He added that bullfights during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and other Catholic feasts, are common in Goa.
Parsekar said that once they receive the report of the House committee on bullfights under the leadership of St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh, formed during the last assembly session, the government will look for options that will allow bullfights to be legalized.
Parsekar said that bullfights are not new in Goa. “Since my childhood I have seen bullfights in my village, but now due to some legal obstruction the fights are called illegal and the old tradition has now been obstructed, but we cannot break tradition,” Parsekar said.
Parsekar said that in his village of Arambol in Pernem taluka there are almost 25 to 40 good bulls reared for fights with a market value well above a lakh of rupees.
Parsekar was speaking against the backdrop of bullfights at Paliem in Arambol on September 20, which falls in his constituency.
Bullfights, once very popular in the State, were banned about two decades ago following a Supreme Court order.
