CHENNAI: The Narendra Modi government appears keen to ensure that the Tamils celebrate coming Pongal (January 2017) in grand style. The Centre has proposed amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to overcome the roadblock to jallikattu imposed by the Supreme Court. These amendments, if passed in Parliament, will ensure that nothing would stand between the Tamils and their ‘sport of valour’. Jallikattu was being held during Pongal festival in Alanganallur and Palamedu, but this ‘Tamilarin veeravilayaatu’ was banned by the Supreme Court in May, 2014 following petitions filed by animal rights activists.
Jallikattu, which was not held during 2015 and 2016 Pongal festivals, will be back on the list of Pongal festivities coming year if the amendment bill is passed by Parliament. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has prepared a draft bill to ensure conduct of Jallikattu and bullock cart races and the amendments have received the seal of the Law ministry. The draft bill will now be sent to the Union Cabinet for its approval after which it will be tabled in Parliament. The draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment Bill), 2016 proposes to allow conduct of Jallikattu and bullock cart races in several states provided that they are organised with prior permission from the district authorities.
The amendments are identical to the changes the BJP government had effected by way of an official notification in January this year after constant nudging from Tamil Nadu Government and jallikattu organisers that the rules should be relaxed. However, the Supreme Court struck down the notification. The draft bill says any animal notified in the gazette, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub section (III) after sub section (II) of section 22 of the Act shall continue to be exhibited or trained as a performing animal, at events, in a manner prescribed in the religion of any community, or practised traditionally under the custom or as part of culture in any part of the country. "These events may, inter-alia, include Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Gujarat etc. Provided that events so organised shall be held with prior approval of the district authority concerned and shall be duly monitored by the state SPCA and state Animal Welfare Board (as representatives of animal welfare board) ensuring that no unnecessary pain and suffering is inflicted or caused, in a manner, whatsoever during the course of events so organized," the draft bill says.
The Amendment Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon session beginning July 18. If the Bill is passed in both Houses, the ban on conduct of Jallikattu will be revoked. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 14 demanded the revoking of the ban on Jallikattu. She had also written several letters to Mr Modi in the past demanding amendments to the Act to ensure jallikattu is held every year.
