The high court had banned the traditional horse cart race in 2014 after a PIL was filed, calling the event an act of cruelty on the animals
The traditional tanga daur (tonga race) of Nagaur had kicked up a storm between the people of Nagaur and the Rajasthan government. The high court had banned the traditional horse cart race in 2014 after a PIL was filed, calling the event an act of cruelty on the animals. The court had also objected to the races being held on the highways passing through Nagaur.
Four races are held on the highways in Nagaur during Bhadva, a month of festival according to the Hindu calendar. A large police force used to be deployed along the highway as thousands of spectators thronged the venue.
However, the order didn’t go well with some of the local organisations, which pleaded the ban be lifted. With the state going into polls next year, the clamour of protest has grown much stronger. A group of local politicians have joined the protest too.
Independent MLA from Khimsar, one of the areas through with the race cuts through, is leading the protest, even to the extent of taking out a rally. “This is a part of our culture. Both Hindus and Muslims have fairs during which these races are held,” Khimsar said.
The government is under pressure because the protestors announced a sit-in at the collectorate office in Nagaur on August 24. The first race is scheduled for 31 August. A state-level meeting was held on Monday. “The race is a part of the tradition. Going by these parameters, even tilling of land with oxen is cruelty” said animal husbandry minister Prabhulal Saini.
“We have decided to seek an alternate route that stays away from the highways. We’ll try to ensure that every horse that takes part in the event is medically examined,” added Saini. “We cannot take any decision against the court ruling. We may file a review petition or move SC and draft a policy covering all similar events,” added Saini. 90-year-old Shamshuddin, who owns a horse, said: “I’ve been seeing the races since childhood. My family had been keeping horses that participate in races for a long time. We feed them well and care for them. The ban must go.”
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