Govt bulldozes Sardinha’s bid to legalise dhirios HERALD BUREAU Says it would promote cruelty, betting
NEW DELHI, DEC 4 An attempt by South Goa MP to legalise dhirio, a traditional bullfight sport in the state, failed on Friday when he withdrew “half-heartedly” his Bill for the purpose in the Lok Sabha. The Government opposed the private member’s bill of Congress member Francisco Sardinha on the ground that it would only promote cruelty and betting. Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh also pointed out that the High Court as well as the Supreme Court have opposed such games that cause injuries to the animals. Even while withdrawing the Bill brought to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Sardinha put up a spirited fight with the minister, challenging his contentions on betting and the courts’ opposition. He said there is not only betting but even match fixing in important games like cricket and football and these will have to be banned if one buys the minister’s argument about betting. On the minister pointing out that injuries to the animals were admitted in the Bill itself by providing for a doctor wherever the bull fight takes place, Sardinha said doctors are kept ready for any emergencies in every good sports event and that does not mean the event be banned. As regards the courts’ opposition to bull fights, he argued that the courts only interpret the existing law and that was why he had brought the Bill to amend the relevant law. He added that the Goa Assembly has already passed a Bill to legalise dhirio but it will not get the Governor’s assent as it goes against a central law and that was why he had sought amendment in it. Some members suggested during the brief discussion that took place in the evening towards the end of the day’s sitting that the Bill in the present shape can be misused in other states where bull fights are no traditional sports and as such better to have a comprehensive Bill that sets out exemption from the law only in Goa. http://aitaracheokaskuleo.blogspot.com/
