On 23 September, a headline reported about a bull that broke out from a fight and attacked a man in a public area. Later, the man was declared dead due to grievous injuries. This Majorda tragedy was said to be a wake-up call for the government. Dhirios have been an integral part of Goan culture for a long time. They have been held in the most unorganised setups, risking public safety. I myself once experienced a dangerous tragedy while travelling home, where an aggressive bull from a bullfight was on the roads and there was no organiser present to handle the animal. It kept running vigorously on the roads behind vehicles and people.
Microchipping and registering of these animals was made mandatory by the Goa government, as reported by India Today on 30 August, but are these rules being followed? Are we able to track down the owner or the illegalities taking place around us? During a discussion in the Assembly, legalisation of bullfighting was demanded. Legalisation and safeguarding the public should go hand in hand. There will be a need for infrastructure for organising legal bullfights to prevent tragedies.
