Current Affairs - Art and Culture - Discussion

Goa's traditional bullfighting sport Dhirio, where two bulls lock horns in combat, was banned by the Bombay High Court in 1996 following a fatal incident and animal cruelty concerns. Rooted in Portuguese colonial heritage, this harvest-season event was once central to Goan village culture. Unlike Spanish bullfights, Dhirio pits bulls against each other without human combatants. While some MLAs advocate for its legalization (citing cultural preservation and tourism potential), the ban remains under India's animal welfare laws, mirroring debates around Tamil Nadu's Jallikattu. The sport continues to influence Goan diaspora betting cultures despite the prohibition.