SC upholds validity of Jallikattu, but directs states to protect safety of animals

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 18, 2023: In a big relief for the governments of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the validity of the traditional bull-taming sport ’Jallikattu’ and bullock cart races.

In its verdict, the Supreme Court said the states’ acts are legally valid.

 

The court also directed the states to strictly ensure the safety and protection of animals under the law.

"Cultural heritage borne out by texts and evidence, the court cannot intervene into the matter," the Supreme Court said.

The order was pronounced by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph.

"Jallikattu", also known as "Eruthazhuvuthal", is a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal harvest festival.

The petitions, including one filed by animal rights body PETA, had challenged the law that allowed the bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

The apex court had earlier said the petitions against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017 needed to be decided by a larger bench since they involved substantial questions relating to interpretation of the Constitution.

The bench framed five questions to be adjudicated upon by the larger bench.

The top court had said that notwithstanding the cruelty involved in "Jallikattu", it cannot be termed a blood sport as nobody is using any weapon and the blood may only be an incidental thing.

It had said though cruelty may be involved in the sport, people do not take part in the event to kill the animal.

"Because there is death does not mean it is a blood sport. I don’t suggest that people who are going to participate and climb onto the bulls are going there in order to extract blood in that event. People are not going to kill the animal. Blood may be an incidental thing," the bench, also comprising justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar had observed.

The top court had, in its 2014 judgment, said bulls cannot be used as performing animals either for "Jallikattu" events or bullock-cart races, and banned their use for these purposes across the country.

Courtesy: India Today