Victory: Eight Illegal Ram Fights and Five Bullock Cart Races Prevented in Belagavi, Dharwad and Bagalkote, Following PETA India Complaint

After receiving information regarding illegal ram fights and bullock cart race events scheduled to take place in Belagavi, Dharwad and Bagalkote, PETA India took swift action to prevent these illegal events. The fights and races were scheduled across multiple locations in three districts.

Ram fighting events were planned in Belagavi at Kanabargi, Gokak, Belawadi, Hukkeri, Shiragaon, and Badasa on 29 March, 3 April, 4 April, 8 April, 12 April, and 16 April, respectively. More ram fight events were set for 5 April in Kalaghatagi, Dharwad, and 6 April in Rabakavi Bennatti, Bagalkote. Bullock cart races were scheduled for April 5 and 6 in each of the two locations, Muchandi and Khairwad, and April 14 in Gokak, Belagavi. Upon learning about these events, PETA India promptly alerted senior police officials. Thanks to police intervention, the planned fights and races were successfully prevented, sparing many animals from cruelty.

Following a request from PETA India, the police stations in Dodawada, Kalaghatagi, Nandagad, and Hirebagewadi issued notices under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to organisers of illegal ram fights and bullock cart races, to prevent such unlawful activities.

Spectacles in which animals are forced to fight, or race, are cruel, violent, and illegal. Ram fights and bullock cart races inflict enormous suffering on animals, including causing physical injuries and psychological trauma. We commend Belagavi, Dharwad and Bagalkote police, especially Superintendent of Police, Belagavi, Dr Bheemashankar S Guled, IPS; Commissioner of Police, Belagavi, Sri Iada Martin Marbaniang, IPS; Superintendent of Police, Bagalkote, Sri Amarnath Reddy, IPS; Superintendent of Police, Dharwad, Shri Lokesh Jagalasar, IPS, for sending a message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.

Ram fighting involves pitting two male sheep against each other in a violent and often bloody confrontation. The animals are hit and goaded into fighting until one is deemed the winner. This practice subjects them to significant physical and psychological harm, including injuries such as fractures, puncture wounds, and severe stress.

Bullock cart races involve making them run beyond their limits. Participants often beat them and use sharp objects, leading to severe physical harm and distress. These animals already endure tough conditions when forced to work and forcing them to race is additional cruelty which is also unlawful.