Ludhiana: With bullock cart races set to return as a marquee event at the Kila Raipur Rural “Olympics” from Feb 17, animal rights activists have written to the chief minister, seeking strict enforcement of animal welfare laws and, if necessary, cancellation of the races in case of cruelty or unsafe conditions. While organisers say all norms will be followed and the district administration has formed a committee to ensure compliance, activists have urged the govt to take a zero-tolerance approach to any violations.The bullock cart races — once the highlight of Kila Raipur — were halted after a Supreme Court order in 2014. According to activists, this was necessary to prevent cruelty. The event is returning after the state govt passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the state Assembly on July 11, 2025. This legislation allows the resumption of these traditional races under strict, regulated conditions.
Race enthusiasts, meanwhile, say the event is the “soul” of the games and are eager for its comeback after more than a decade.In a detailed e-mail to the chief minister’s office, Suman Virwani, a Delhi-based animal rights activist, requested that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the rules framed under it be “strictly enforced” to safeguard animal welfare during the event. She urged authorities and organisers to take all necessary precautions to prevent any form of cruelty or distress, including ensuring that bullocks are not overworked or beaten, and that they are provided adequate food, water, and rest, with regular health checks and protection from extreme weather conditions.Virwani also pressed for certificates of fitness for bullocks during transportation to and from Kila Raipur, and for fitness certification of animals participating in the races. She stressed that bullocks must not be subjected to alcohol or drugs to boost performance and called for dope testing to be arranged in case of any complaints or disputes. Her appeal framed the safeguards as both a legal imperative and a moral responsibility ahead of the high-profile meet.Separately, Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) India, an animal rights organisation, wrote to the CM’s office and senior state officials — including the chief secretary, Punjab, the animal husbandry department commissioner, the district magistrate, Ludhiana, and the police commissioner, Ludhiana — flagging similar concerns. In an email, Diana Ratnagar, chairperson of BWC, said the govt should get the bulls thoroughly checked and cancel the races if there was evidence of cruelty, if the condition of carts was unsatisfactory, or if weather and ground conditions were unsuitable.Ratnagar cautioned that, prior to such races, bulls are “very likely” to be subjected to intoxication with alcohol, drugging, beating and whipping, overwork, exhaustion, and insufficient food and water. She suggested that if the races do take place, authorities may take action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 325 and 326, Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 428 and 429, the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) guidelines.Echoing the call for Vigilance, Dr Sandeep K Jain, a co-opted member of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), said that even though the state govt has brought in an amendment to facilitate these races, the spirit of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the rules under the same should not be diluted. He alleged that in the past, animals have been subjected to intoxication and there have been cases of violation of rules during transport for such competitions. On their part, organisers of the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, assured that all norms would be followed. Colonel (Retired) Surinder Singh Grewal, president of the Kila Raipur Sports Society, which organises the games, said safeguards would be in place and asserted that earlier editions of the races at Kila Raipur had seen no cruelty to animals. He claimed there is no evidence to the contrary and argued that the ban had been imposed after organisations such as PETA and AWBI raised a hue and cry.Grewal added that animal owners treat their bullocks like their children, provide them the best food, and look after them well. He said more than 100 carts are expected to participate in the upcoming races, and that owners have been practising with their animals ahead of the competition. The district administration also assured that it had taken measures to ensure animal welfare. Deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain told TOI that the administration has constituted a committee to oversee welfare protocols and that a standard operating procedure (SOP) would be followed. While details of the SOP were not disclosed, officials indicated that the framework is intended to ensure compliance with applicable laws and to enable prompt intervention should violations be reported.Anticipation among fans and residents is high. Kulwant Singh, a sports enthusiast, said the bullock cart races were the soul of the Kila Raipur games, and people are happy that the races will be held again after more than a decade. He added that many are looking forward to watching the races, which have historically drawn significant crowds and lent the Kila Raipur meet its distinct rural sporting identity.For now, the spotlight is on enforcement and oversight. Activists have laid out a clear checklist—fitness certificates, regular health checks, protection from extreme weather, adequate rest and nutrition, prohibition of intoxicants and performance-enhancing substances, and dope testing where warranted. The AWBI member’s caution about transport and prior practices adds another layer of scrutiny that could shape on-ground protocols. The organisers’ assurance, coupled with the district administration’s committee and SOP, suggests a formal structure is in place.Whether these safeguards will be adequate, and whether they will be implemented rigorously, remains the central question as the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics approach. The success of the return of bullock cart races—after legal changes at the state level opened the door—will likely hinge on transparent checks, quick redressal of complaints, and demonstrable adherence to animal welfare standards throughout the event cycle.Box 1:—According to the President of the Kila Raipur Sports Society, bullock cart races were stopped at the Rural Olympics after a ban by the Supreme Court in 2014 —Thereafter, Malwa, Majha, and Doaba bullock cart race bodies went to court on the issue —According to the Kila Raipur Sports Society, after Jallikattu was allowed in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra with the passing of a bill in Vidhan Sabha, then Congress govt in Punjab in 2019 passed such a bill in the Vidhan Sabha —It added that it needed some corrections but no one pursued it. He said that after they raised the issue, the bill was signed by the President of India in March 2024 —Around July 11 last year, the Punjab Assembly passed a bill, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025, which legalised bullock cart races across the state.What Activists Fear –Animal rights activists have raised concerns about potential cruelty during the bullock cart races at Kila Raipur –They have urged the chief minister to ensure strict enforcement of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and related rules –Activists fear that bullocks may be overworked, beaten, denied adequate food, water, and rest, or forced to race in extreme weather –They have also warned against the likely use of alcohol or drugs to boost performance and demanded fitness certificates for animals during transport and participation, along with dope testing –They have cautioned that violations in transporting and preparing animals have been witnessed in past events and have asked the government to cancel the races if cruelty or unsafe conditions are detected ‘Animals treated kindly’–Colonel (Retired) Surinder Singh Grewal, President of the Kila Raipur Sports Society, has assured that all norms will be followed during the bullock cart races –He said that even in earlier editions of the Kila Raipur games, there was no cruelty to animals and that there is no evidence to suggest otherwise–Grewal stated that owners treat their bullocks like their children, provide them the best food, and take proper care of them –He said that over 100 carts are expected to participate this year and that owners are already practising with their animals ahead of the competition.
