Why in NEWS

There has been a demand in Goa to legalise Dhirio (or Dhiri) bullfighting for cultural preservation and tourism promotion. Despite being banned, the sport continues in some villages of Goa.

Key Terms / Concepts

Term	Explanation
Dhirio / Dhiri	Traditional Goan sport involving two trained bulls locking horns in a contest of strength.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960	Central legislation prohibiting practices that inflict unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
Jallikattu	Bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu, recognised as a cultural practice by SC in 2023.

About Dhirio

Aspect	Details
Origin	Dates back to the Portuguese colonial era in Goa.
Nature	Involves two bulls fighting; no matadors or ritual killing as in Spanish bullfighting.
Occasion	Usually held during village feasts, church celebrations, or post-harvest festivities.
Venue	Paddy fields or football grounds in rural Goa.

Cultural Significance

Aspect	Details
Social Role	Acts as a major attraction during village events, fostering community bonding.
Tourism Potential	Advocates believe legalising it could boost rural and cultural tourism.

Legal Status

Aspect	Details
Ban Year	1997
Ban Authority	Bombay High Court, upheld by Supreme Court.
Legal Basis	Violation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Related Case	SC’s stance on Jallikattu shifted in 2023, recognising it as part of Tamil Nadu’s culture, raising comparisons in Goa.

In a nutshell

Memory Code: BULL –
Banned
Uniting villages
Legal hurdles
Local culture.

Prelims Practice Questions

1. The sport of Dhirio is associated with which Indian state?
   a) Maharashtra
   b) Goa
   c) Karnataka
   d) Kerala
2. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was invoked to ban which of the following sports?
   1. Dhirio
   2. Jallikattu
   3. Kambala
      Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
      a) 1 only
      b) 1 and 2 only
      c) 2 and 3 only
      d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Which of the following statements about Dhirio is correct?
   a) It involves the killing of bulls as part of the event.
   b) It originated in Goa during the Portuguese era.
   c) It is the same as Spanish bullfighting.
   d) It was legalised in 2023 by the Supreme Court.

Prelims Answers & Explanations

Qn	Ans	Explanation
1	b	Dhirio is a traditional Goan bullfighting sport.
2	b	Both Dhirio and Jallikattu have been banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act; Kambala has not been banned.
3	b	Dhirio originated in the Portuguese era in Goa and does not involve killing the bulls.