Assam govt hints at official return of Moh Juj next year

Guwahati: Assam’s traditional buffalo fight, Moh Juj, could be officially organised next year, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika said on Thursday, noting that the state government is still awaiting Presidential assent to a related amendment Bill.

Addressing reporters, Hazarika said Moh Juj was not conducted officially during this year’s Magh Bihu due to legal uncertainty. “We have not organised Moh Juj officially this year, but hopefully it will be conducted across the state next year,” he said.

The minister explained that although the Assam Legislative Assembly has passed a Bill concerning Moh Juj, approval from President Droupadi Murmu is yet to be received.

“Without the President’s assent, it is a 50-50 situation. We cannot take any risk. That is why no official event was held this year,” he added. Once the assent comes through, the government plans to organise the event statewide “with full fervour” next year.

On November 27 last year, the Assembly unanimously passed an amendment Bill seeking to exempt Moh Juj from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, drawing parallels with Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu.

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Krishnendu Paul had earlier described Moh Juj as an important cultural tradition that also helps promote indigenous buffalo breeds.

Under the proposed amendment, buffalo fights could be held during Magh Bihu or on other notified days without being classified as animal cruelty.

The move followed a December 2024 Gauhati High Court order that struck down a state government standard operating procedure allowing buffalo and Bulbul bird fights, citing a 2014 Supreme Court judgment