PANJIM: The House Committee on bullfights is closely monitoring developments in other states on legalizing the sport as it explores the possibility to replicate the same in Goa within the ambit of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
With the Centre issuing new guidelines on Friday, allowing the controversial bull taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ in Tamil Nadu, the State hopes the banned traditional sport ‘dhirio’ in Goa have been revived.
The House Committee chairman Vishnu Surya Wagh is expected to call for the committee’s second meeting after the winter session of the Legislative Assembly.
“We are taking cognizance of actions in other states and statements made in this regard and are in the process of assessing and studying ways and means to ensure the sport is legalized. A meeting will be scheduled after the winter session,” the pro-dhirio St Andre legislator told Herald.
Wagh, who is likely to be elected Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has been a vocal advocate of ‘dhirios’, be it at public gatherings or during Assembly sessions. He has also said that though it is banned, dhirios continue to remain popular in many villages.
The government, during the monsoon session of the Assembly had constituted the House Committee to look into all the aspects of ‘dhirio’ within the framework of the law. A report, Wagh said, is likely to be tabled in the 2016 Budget session of the Assembly.
Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar, who is on the House committee, said, “We have to regularize the sport within the purview of all animal-related laws. The age-old sport’s revival will boost tourism, particularly in the villages of Goa.”
The six-member committee has begun receiving suggestions, objections and comments from various stakeholders, including bullfight operators, NGOs and the general public.
