Goa member for lifting ban on bullfight.

Members today locked horns in the Lok Sabha over a proposal by a Goa member for lifting ban on bullfight.

The government joined the debate but favoured continuation of ban, in operation for last five decades.

Francisco Sardina (Congress), through his private members’ bill, sought removal of the ban stating that it should be considered as sports.

While he found support from two MPs, Shilendra Kumar (SP) and Arjun Megwal (BJP), the idea was opposed by Hukamdeo Narayan Yadav (BJP). “Bullfight is a sport. Injuries do happen in other sports like boxing, hockey, football and cricket as well”, Sardina argued.

As for the criticism of gambling and betting, which may be associated with bullfight, he said, “No sport is free from this menace….there are cases of match-fixing in cricket.” Yadav however disagreed. “In the interest of our cattle head, this proposal cannot be approved.