Despite a Supreme Court ban on animal fights, traditional buffalo fights, locally called Moh juj, were held in parts of central Assam’s Morigaon district on January 15 as part of Magh Bihu celebrations.
Events took place at Baidyabori and Ahatguri, attracting large crowds, according to local media, though officials declined to comment, citing the matter as sub judice.
At Baidyabori, over 40 pairs of buffaloes competed, with some matches reportedly lasting more than 20 minutes. In Ahatguri, a key venue for the tradition, 33 pairs participated, drawing thousands of spectators eager to witness the age-old practice that coincides with the harvest festival.
Earlier, the Assam government had issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in 2023 allowing buffalo and Bulbul bird fights during Magh Bihu. However, the Gauhati High Court struck down the SOP in December 2024, citing violations of a 2014 Supreme Court judgment banning such animal contests.
While Bulbul bird fights are mainly held at the Hayagriva Madhav Temple in Hajo, buffalo fights are traditionally organised in Morigaon, Sivasagar, and several Upper Assam districts, with Ahatguri being the most prominent venue.
Meanwhile, the Assam government has moved to legalise buffalo fights through legislative amendments. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed unanimously in November, seeks to exempt traditional buffalo fights from the definition of animal cruelty, similar to the exemption granted to Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.
