Studying bullfighting, will see what can be done to legalise it: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Porvorim: MLAs across party lines on Thursday pressed for the legalisation of bullfighting. The MLAs cited Tamil Nadu govt’s decision to allow Jallikattu (a traditional bull-taming sport) to persuade Goa govt to make bullfighting legal.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant said, “Jallikattu is not a fight between two bulls. But I understand the sentiments of MLAs.” He said, “The high court is monitoring bullfighting. We will study, and thereafter we can see what can be done.”Mandrem’s MGP MLA Jit Arolkar said that bullfighting has taken place from the Harappan era and is considered a tradition in the coastal belt of Goa. He has moved a private member’s bill seeking legislation to allow bullfighting only on special days like feasts, jatras, birthdays, or village festivals.“People give bulls more care than they offer to their own children,” Arolkar said.“Humans have pedicures done. Similarly, bull owners give pedicures to their animals.”Arolkar related an anecdote to underscore the value people attach to their bulls. A woman from her constituency had contacted him to help her son find a job, he said. But in the end, he said, “She told me to forget about her son and take care of her bull, which is idle at home and has not been in a bullfight for two years.

This is the reality.”Independent Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas said, “When I had one bull, I was known as the Cortalim fighter. After the high court banned bullfighting, I stopped keeping bulls.” He added, “We have to come together to legalise bullfighting in the state.”Leader of the opposition Yuri Alemao said, “Looking at the CM’s reply, he is firm about not legalising bullfighting.”Alemao said, “The CM should tell us whether there will be a discussion on the bullfighting bill.

A former BJP CM had said that they wanted to legalise bullfighting.”Benaulim’s AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said that the traditional sport must be preserved. St Andre’s RGP MLA Viresh Borkar said the assembly should provide bullfighting with the status of a sport, and a stadium should be constructed to host the fights.Fatorda’s GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai said govt should form an expert committee to safeguard human life and amend the relevant state act. Sardesai said that govt has to take the ‘double-engine approval’ and present a strong case in court. “The Goa assembly has the full right to pass an amendment,” Sardesai said.Siolim’s BJP MLA Delilah Lobo said precautions should be taken to avoid the loss of human life during bullfights.