SC decision has given hope for legalizing bullfighting in Goa: AAP
Panaji: Goa’s AAP MLA Venzy Viegas on Thursday said that Supreme Court’s decision on Jallikattu has given hopes to legalise Goa’s traditional bullfighting sport.
Veigas represents Benaulim Assembly constituency in South Goa which is a hub for bullfighting. The bullfighting, commonly known as Dhirio, has been banned under prevention of cruelty to animals act.
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld amendments made by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 to allow the traditional bull-taming sports of Jallikattu and Kambala.
Viegas said that Supreme Court judgement on Jallikattu, upholds Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (TN amendment) of 2017. “It’s a window of hope to legalise Goa’s traditional bullfighting sport,” he said.
Viegas said if ‘cruelty’ element is minimized by a Goa specific statute, it will pass the test of law.
He said that in the recently held Budget Session of Goa Legislative Assembly, he had submitted a private members’ bill on the lines to address the cruelty aspect of bullfighting.
The MLA said that he will pursue to evolve consensus among fellow lawmakers and government to make this Goan tradition a legally practiced reality.
