Tamil Nadu seeks Jallikattu ban review

With the Centre still dithering on issuing ordinance to permit Jallikattu (taming the bull), the Tamil Nadu government moved the Supreme Court seeking review of the May 7, 2014 judgment banning Jallikattu in the state.

Sources told this newspaper that though the review petition was filed as early as May 19, 2014, it was not numbered by the Registry citing certain defects. As a result it was not listed for hearing before the appropriate bench. With Pongal fast approaching the state cured the defects and the matter is now ready for listing shortly.

T. Rajesh, the prime coordinator of “Veera vilaiyaattu meetppu kalagam”, a group of individuals organised for the retrieval of traditional and adventurous sports of Tamils has also filed a petition seeking review of the ban on jallikattu. He said the court failed to consider that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, gives rights to one community to kill cows and bulls as part of their religious rights. Yet now Hindus are being denied the right to use our own bulls for Eru-Thazhuvuthal (Jallikattu) and other religious festivals which is manifestly discriminatory under the Constitution.

The petition said the SC has erred in striking down the Jallikattu Act on the ground that it is repugnant to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.