With Magh Bihu just a week away, Assam is buzzing with preparations to celebrate the harvest festival in its full traditional glory. A significant part of this revival involves the return of two ancient sports: the bulbul bird fight and the traditional buffalo duel, known locally as 'moh juj'. This year's celebrations carry added significance as they follow a recent legislative change that has cleared the legal path for these cultural events.
Legislative Green Light for Cultural Heritage
The key development enabling this year's festivities is the passage of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2025. Passed unanimously by the state assembly in November, this law provides a specific exemption for traditional buffalo fights during Magh Bihu, aiming to preserve cultural heritage. This move mirrors the exemption granted to 'jallikattu' in Tamil Nadu. The government's stated rationale includes the role of these fights in preserving tradition and ensuring the survival of native buffalo breeds.
This legislative action comes as a direct response to a complex legal history. The state had initially prohibited the fights in 2015 following a Supreme Court ban on similar events. A brief revival attempt via a government notification in December 2023 was later quashed by the Gauhati High Court in December 2024. The court ruled that the events violated the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, following a challenge by PETA India. The new amendment bill is designed to navigate these legal hurdles.
Centuries-Old Traditions Prepare for Comeback
At the historic 6th-century Hayagrib Madhab Temple in Hajo, priests and organisers are making final arrangements for the bulbul fight. Shivaprasad Sharma, the temple's doloi (priest), provided historical context, stating the fight dates back roughly seven centuries to the reign of Ahom King Pramatta Singha (1744-1751). He emphasises that the event is not intended to cause injury but is viewed as a "sport related to religion."
"After the bulbul fight remained prohibited since 2015, we organised it in 2024 following an SOP issued by the state government in December 2023," Sharma explained. "We did not organise the sport last year following a court judgment. However, this year, after passing an amendment law by the government in the assembly, we are going to organise the traditional sport." His statement highlights the relief felt by organisers following the new law's passage.
Balancing Tradition, Law, and Animal Welfare
The revival of these Bihu events sets the stage for an ongoing dialogue about cultural preservation, legal frameworks, and animal welfare. The state government's amendment carves out a specific, time-bound exception for Magh Bihu, attempting to balance these often-competing interests. Organisers now operate under this new legal shield, which permits buffalo fights exclusively during the festival period.
As Assam decks up for Magh Bihu, the sight of these traditional sports will mark a triumphant return for many communities. The journey from ban to court battles to legislative amendment underscores the deep cultural value attached to these practices and the state's efforts to safeguard them within a modern legal structure. The coming festival will be a key test for the implementation of this new law and its acceptance by all stakeholders.
