Voice 9, North-East Desk: After an absence of
nearly nine years, the resonant reverberations of Bulbuli skirmishes once again
adorned the Magh Bihu festivities in Assam on Monday. The resurgence is
sanctioned by the state government, which has authorized the traditional
competition along with specific policies and guidelines.
The Bulbuli skirmishes, an essential Bihu
custom, were savored by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during Magh Bihu
celebrations at Shri Hayagriva Madhav Mandir in Hajo on Monday. Taking to a
micro-blogging website, he expressed, “Reviving our ancient customs and rituals
has been a cornerstone of our policies. After nearly a decade, I was able to
witness the Bulbuli skirmish, an essential Bihu tradition that was recently
revived by our government.
The decision to resurrect the cherished Bulbuli
skirmishes was made during a cabinet meeting on December 21, 2023, marking the
return of this age-old tradition to the revered Hayagriva Madhav Mandir in
Hajo. The historic and traditional competition, tracing its roots to the era of
Swargadeo Pramatta Singha, has been reinstated following a decade-long hiatus.
Originally prohibited by the Gauhati High Court
in 2015 due to concerns over animal cruelty, the Bulbuli skirmishes are now
being reintroduced as part of the state’s efforts to preserve and honor its
age-old customs and traditions. The reinstatement, however, comes with strict
adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), similar to those mandated
for organizing Moh-juj or buffalo fights. The SOPs issued for Bulbuli bird
skirmishes emphasize the utmost care and safety of the participating birds.
Key points include ensuring the birds’ safety, providing food and water at the venue, conducting the games in a disciplined manner, restricting access to only authorized personnel, and releasing the Bulbuli birds in perfect condition after the event. Furthermore, it was highlighted that both buffalo and Bulbuli skirmishes shall be permitted only at locations where these traditional events have been consistently conducted for the past 25 years.
