CM felicitated for Passing Law to Restart Bull Races in Punjab
Mahima Singh Wala (Ludhiana), July 29: While announcing the revival of traditional rural sports in Punjab that were fading due to legal restrictions, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated today that the state government will remove all legal hurdles to promote and preserve the state’s glorious sports heritage. CM said Bull Races Return to Punjab After 11 Years
Addressing the gathering in a function organised by Sports lovers to felicitate a massive gathering of traditional sports lovers, the Chief Minister said that bullock cart races are not just a source of entertainment but represent the glorious cultural heritage of rural Punjab. He said such races have been held in Punjab since ancient times and served as a living connection to our traditions and cultural identity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, also practiced farming with bullocks during his time in Kartarpur Sahib.
Mann Govt Backs Return of Traditional Bullock Cart Races
The Chief Minister said that the ban on bullock cart races (Bull Races) not only disheartened lovers of traditional sports, but also dealt a blow to our heritage. He further added that there had been growing demand from Punjabis. They want a new law so that these traditional games can be revived. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on July 11, 2025, the historic ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025’ was passed unanimously in the Punjab Assembly.CM felicitated for Passing Law to Restart Bull Races in Punjab
The Chief Minister envisioned that this law will not only help in preserving indigenous animal breeds in Punjab but also pave the way for resuming bullock cart races. He said that the law now awaits the consent of the President of India, after which the races can be officially conducted again. Speaking about the new legislation, Bhagwant Singh Mann explained that its primary objective is to ensure safety measures for animals participating in sports. These measures include veterinary supervision, safety standards, registration and documentation, and penalties for violations. This is to prevent any cruelty inflicted upon voiceless animals.
Bull Races : CM Mann to Revive Punjab’s Rural Olympics & Pigeon Races
The CM also announced that the government will explore possibilities of reviving pigeon flying competitions as well. Referring to the sports festival held at Kila Raipur village, he said that the games which began in 1933 are popularly known as “Mini Olympics” or “Rural Olympics”. Bhagwant Singh Mann said these games have received international recognition. They have been covered by BBC, Discovery Channel, and others. He added that even Presidents of India have attended these games in the past.
The Chief Minister thanked the public for their overwhelming support in the government’s war against drugs. He emphasized that drug abuse is not limited to one house or district. It affects the entire state. He said many young people in Punjab have fallen prey to drugs. He added that those who laid the pyres of youth are the real enemies of society. They will not be spared at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the affluent leaders responsible for the genocide of youth have already been jailed. He added that the campaign to demolish the houses of drug smugglers with bulldozers will continue in coming days too.
Bhagwant Mann Exposes Captain on Drugs, Highlights Water Gains
The Chief Minister questioned Captain Amarinder Singh. He asked why Singh was showing concern over the human rights of the kingpin of the entire drug trade. This individual is currently lodged in Nabha jail. The Chief Minister asked why such concern was never shown for the people of Punjab. He implied that this has exposed the real face of these leaders. These leaders have spread and patronised drug trade across the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Captain’s nephew started drug trade during the Akali regime. He was a Minister at that time. It bloomed when the former Congress leader, now in BJP, became the Chief Minister.
When the Chief Minister assumed office, only 21% of agricultural land was irrigated using canal water. However, today that figure has increased to 63%. He said that because of the government’s effective efforts, canal and river water is reaching the tail-end villages of the state for the first time in history. The government’s strategies have been successful. Consequently, canal and river water now reaches the tail-end villages of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government is duty-bound to save the water of the state. No stone is being left unturned to achieve this.
Historic Move: Punjab Govt Acquires Private Power Plant
The Chief Minister also mentioned that uninterrupted electricity is being provided for paddy cultivation. For the first time, due to surplus water availability, farmers are switching off their tube wells. He stated that the Punjab Government has made history by purchasing the privately-owned Govindwal Power Plant. This is the first time a government has bought a private power plant. It reverses the past trend where governments sold public assets to their cronies at throwaway prices. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the state government has fulfilled its duty. They have renamed the plant after the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji.
Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Hardeep Singh Mundian and other dignitaries.
