_____ From: Averthan D'Souza [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 16 April 2008 12:36 To: Herald Goa Subject: Unfortunate editorial. Dear Editor, I was very surprised, and indeed, greatly disappointed to read your editorial "The dhirio debate" in the Herald of April 17th., 2008. You are actually promoting an activity which has been universally condemned as being inhumane, nay, cruel to animals. To goad bulls or buffaloes, or even cocks and other creatures to fight merely to provide entertainment to "stupid" humans is a regression in human behaviour that needs to be corrected. Instead of using the influence of the Press to canvass public support to ban all animal fights, you have actually sought to justify the continuance of this cruel sport by an appeal to tradition and to recent Supreme Court Judgements in the case of the "Jallikattu" sports in Chennai. If one can justify cruelty to animals by an appeal to ancient tradition, as you have done, then one can also justify "sati" and other barbaric practices by an appeal to the same tradition. Your editorial argues that these cruel sports (like "Jallikattu" in Chennai and "dhirios" in Goa can and should be promoted only on condition that the Government uses elaborate, and, obviously expensive, measures to ensure the safety of the participants, the onlookers and of the animals. The fact is that our Government cannot even ensure the safety of citizens in the face of growing crimes such as robberies, rapes, murders, abductions, drug pushing etc. Now you are advocating that the Government spend more money and use more personnel to ensure the safety of people who are stupid enough to indulge in uncivilized sports such as dhirios. Your prescription includes the examination of each animal by veterinarians, the examination of each participant by doctors "to ensure that they were fit." You continue to prescribe that no alcohol should be consumed either by the bulls or by the participants. Wow, wow ! Are you serious ? Your concluding argument is the most disturbing: "What prevents the Goa government from framing similar regulations to make dhirio safer for the spectators, and ensure that there is no cruelty for the participating animals?" Truly amazing for an editorial of a prominent English daily in Goa !! I suppose that we should be grateful that you have not gone further and proposed that the Goa government should build special stadia exclusively for the promotion of animal sports. Some of our politicians, including our "honourable" M.P. from South Goa, will be overjoyed to read your editorial. Perhaps they have even engaged the services of "Consultants" who will plan the building of these stadiums. Yours truly, Averthanus L. D'Souza, D-13, La Marvel Colony, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004. Tel: 2453628.
