The Bombay High Court has ordered the Goa police to draw up an action plan to tackle the issue of illegal bullfights. That bullfights are being carried out regularly despite a ban in place only goes to highlight a glitch in the system. An NGO, People for Animals, has submitted before the court that at least eight bullfights were conducted between January and August in 2021 and plans were in the offing to conduct fights during the Easter season.
Keeping up with the changing times, bullfight lovers and organisers have managed to hoodwink the law enforcement by resorting to social media communication with information being exchanged via Whatsapp groups and Facebook messaging. The police have contended that action has been taken against the 117 calls received by the Police Control Room and maintained that some offences have been registered. Unfortunately, the police action does not reflect any seriousness. The craze over bullfights continues to be overwhelming.
This brings up a pertinent question. Why is the police machinery shying away from initiating independent action on bull owners who are organising these fights every week? Why are bull owners not on the radar of the police? And how can illegality of this magnitude be overlooked, especially when it is happening out in the open in front of an audience of thousands? Finally, why is the conviction rate zero in the few cases that have been registered?
It appears that the police are either colluding with the bullfight organisers, or there is political patronage involved. Let’s not forget the political backing that bullfight organisers enjoy. Political leaders are not in a position to take cudgels against bull owners because of the traction these fights have.
Mapping of bulls for their identification and rescue, using RFID tags and microchips and ear tagging bulls are welcome suggestions, but if there is no genuine intent to stop fights, all such measures will be futile.
Moreover, a bullfight that could last between 5 to 30 minutes draws large, boisterous crowds, and a small police team at the site would simply not be in a position to control the situation. There are chances that a face-off with bullfight organizers could trigger a law and order situation giving the issue a serious turn.
Photographs of bulls likely to be involved in a fight on Easter day were submitted to the court. In recent times, there are unnecessary community linkages that are being made. While the law should take its course, there should not be attempts to stoke communal discord in a Goa that is blessed with a distinctive harmony.
It is clear that deterrents are lacking and enforcers have been turning Nelson’s eye despite a ban being in force since 1998. Cruelty to animals (read bulls) has never been a matter of serious debate in the State which has a history of holding dhirios. A lot needs to change, especially the will to put a stop, and it has to be a collective effort, not the police alone.
