Supreme Court says no to bull-taming sport Jallikattu

New Delhi: In a huge setback to NDA government and political parties in Tamil Nadu, the  Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed Centre’s decision to allow holding of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu during Pongal festival. In view of the stay Jallikattu or bullock cart race cannot be held.

A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and N. V. Ramana accepted petitioners’ contention that Centre’s notification allowing Jallikattu violates 2014 banning Jallikattu. In the morning since Justice R. Banumathi recused herself, the case was shifted from the court of Chief Justice T. S. Thakur to Justice Misra Bench.

The court acted on petitions from Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and supported by PETA India, the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) against the 7 January notification. Further, individuals Sowmya Reddy, Radha Rajan and Gauri Maulekhi filed petitions against this notification, with two of them being contempt petitions. All these petitions called for the court to strike down the 7 January 2016 notification as it violates Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The Centre, represented by AG Mukul Rohatgi, argued that Government has to balance tradition and culture. He said it is those who tame bull with bare hands gets injured and dies and not the bull.

For Tamil Nadu, senior counsel L. N.  RAO argued that Jallikattu is in vogue for centuries. He said a lot of safeguards have been put in place and the sport must be allowed.

The bench however rejected the plea and stayed the notification. It sought  response from Centre and State and posted the matter for March 15.