Other popular sports involving animals
Many have been banned by the court
• Dhirio, Goa: Popular bullfighting blood sport in Goa; Bombay High Court prohibited animal fighting in People for Animals vs State of Goa case in 1996; appeal dismissed by Supreme Court in 1997
• Dogfights, Rajasthan, Punjab and Harayana: Blood sport common in rural areas, gaining popularity among suburban rich; Supreme Court declared all animal races and fights illegal in May, 2014
• Cockfights, Maharashtra: Blood sport in organised in select districts; ad-interim stay declared by Bombay High Court reiterating ban on cockfights in January 2015
• Buffalo and Bulbul Fights, Assam: Traditional part of Bhogali or Magh Bihu (post-harvest festival) held in January; banned by state government as per Supreme Court order in 2015
• Cockfights, Andhra Pradesh: Celebratory blood sport, traditional part of Sankranti (harvest) festival; Supreme Court ruled against petition to lift ban on cockfights in 2015
• Kambala, Karanataka: Age-old buffalo racing event, held under strict legal monitoring
• Hori Bedarisuva Spardhe, Karnataka: Bull-scaring event prevalent in harvest season; organised without any restrictions
- Aishma Raghu, intern at Gulf News
