Dear Editor,
It is a matter of very grave concern to us Goans that the
Congress Party has decided to field for the Lok Sabha By-election from
Marmugoa a person whose top priority is declared to be the revoking of the
ban on buffalo fights or dhirios. Goa is faced with formidable problems,
including tourism which has run amok, the unplanned development of real
estate, the setting up of SEZs and the rapidly deteriorating social
conditions which have brought Goa to the brink of disaster. The candidate
for the by-polls has declared that he will introduce a private member's bill
in Parliament to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. His
argument that the presence at dhirios is sometimes larger than at football
matches, to justify the amendment to the Act, is an argument that can only
come from a buffalo's brain. Also, he is reported to have said that the
ban on bull fights will continue; he will only seek to remove the ban on
buffalo fights. What is the difference between bull fights and buffalo
fights? Our candidate has not given any reason to show why bull fights
should continue to be banned, while buffalo fights should be allowed. Such
muddled thinking will make our representative in the Lok Sabha the laughing
stock of the entire country and will further demean Goan politics, which
already is viewed with amusement by our fellow citizens from the rest of
India. Perhaps he has not had the time to apply his superior brains to
this matter. Furthermore, he has advanced the argument that if boxing
matches are permitted, he sees no reason why buffalo fights should not also
be permitted. For once his argument seems to be consistent, because both
buffalo fighting and boxing fall within the same category of irrational,
mindless infliction of pain which is unnecessary and totally unwarranted.
The only supporters of buffalo (and bull) fights are obviously those who
have a financial stake in this cruel, mindless "sport"
It would be so much more preferable for Goans to elect as our
representative to the Lok Sabha a person who is intelligent and humane, and
sensitive to the more pressing social and economic issues which are
besetting this lovely State.
Yours truly,
Averthanus L. D'Souza,
D-13, La Marvel Colony,
Dona Paula, Goa 403 004.
Tel: 2453628.
