Baidyabari (Morigaon), January 15: In a remarkable display of tradition and defiance, buffalo herders of Morigaon district upheld the age-old practice of buffalo fighting at Baidyabari field today, even while strictly adhering to the court’s prohibition on formal events.
Although the Buffalo Fighting Organizing Committee had officially cancelled the scheduled fights due to the ongoing court injunction, hundreds of enthusiastic herders from various parts of the region spontaneously brought their powerful, battle-ready bulls to the field. What began as a quiet morning soon transformed into a massive gathering as scores of fierce bulls (known as “goraliya moh”) arrived in pairs, accompanied by excited crowds.
By late morning, the Baidyabari Bhogali Mela Committee had held a press conference, clearly stating that no official buffalo fight would take place due to the court order. Instead, the day would feature only the Bhogali Mela and cultural programmes. However, the announcement did little to deter the determined herders.
As the crowd swelled and the field became packed with spectators, the herders — in a mood of celebration — began matching their bulls one pair after another. The rhythmic beats of band parties filled the air while intoxicated herders danced and sang, proudly leading their bulls forward. Without any formal organization or announcement, the traditional buffalo fights commenced unofficially.
The clashes were intense: the thunderous sound of locking horns and clouds of dust rising from the field created an electrifying atmosphere. An estimated 40–50 pairs of powerful bulls participated in thrilling bouts, much to the delight of the spectators who cheered wildly.
The herders, however, strictly requested journalists and photographers not to capture videos or close-up photographs of the fights, citing the court order. As a result, media personnel could only record from a distance.
In this way, the people of Baidyabari once again preserved a centuries-old cultural tradition of Assam — even in the shadow of legal restrictions — through sheer community spirit and determination. The echoes of clashing horns and the rising dust will remain etched in the memory of all who witnessed the spectacle today.
