Assam minister faces legal trouble as activist moves SC over buffalo fight attendance
Environmental journalist Dilip Nath has approached the Supreme Court of India, filing a suit against Assam PHE and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallah Baruah for attending a buffalo fight programme as the chief guest, allegedly violating the Supreme Court’s ban on animal fights.
Baruah attended the inaugural function of a buffalo fight held at Ranghar in Sivasagar district on January 15.
In 2014, the Supreme Court issued a directive prohibiting all animal races and fights, instructing the Animal Welfare Board of India and government agencies to prevent any activities causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.
On December 17, 2024, the Gauhati High Court quashed the Assam government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organizing buffalo and bulbul bird fights, reinforcing the ban. Despite this, the Rangpur Committee proceeded with the traditional buffalo fight, where Minister Baruah was in attendance.
In his letter to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nath alleged that the event was conducted in clear violation of both Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court orders.
“It is surprising that a cabinet minister, Jayanta Mallah Baruah, attended the programme as the chief guest and encouraged the buffalo fight. He even admitted in his speech that the event was held in defiance of court orders,” Nath stated in his petition.
Nath urged the court to take legal action against minister Baruah and the Rangpur Committee for hosting the event. He also forwarded a copy of his complaint to the Gauhati High Court Registrar, seeking legal proceedings against the minister.
To support his claim, Nath submitted video footage and the minister’s media byte to the Supreme Court, providing evidence of Baruah’s participation in the event.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against the organizers of buffalo fights held in Raha, Nagaon district during Bhogali Bihu celebrations. The charges include animal cruelty, provoking animal fights, negligent animal handling and obstructing a public servant from performing duties.
The complaint, supported by video evidence, was submitted by PETA India to the Raha police station, citing violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The police action follows reports that at least 11 buffalo fights were organized across multiple districts, including Morigaon, Nagaon, and Sivasagar, despite the Supreme Court’s clear prohibition on such events.
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When we called us as the most civilized entity on the earth, should do good for the innocent birds and animals realising their pain and sufferings.