Centre allows jallikattu, joy in Tamil Nadu

Over 19 months after the Supreme Court banned “jallikattu” (bull fighting) and bullock cart racing in Tamil Nadu as well as Maharashtra, the Centre Friday issued a gazette notification allowing the controversial sport in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, though with certain conditions.

This move follows widespread demands for its restoration by the state’s political parties. The decision was taken despite objections by animal rights groups.

Crackers were burst and sweets distributed in southern Tamil Nadu districts in celebration as the decision comes just ahead of Pongal later this month. Jallikattu is a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations.

The Animal Welfare Board of India had earlier advised the environment ministry not to overturn the Supreme Court’s order banning jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.

The Centre’s order said bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls “shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animals”, but also said “bulls may continue to be exhibited or trained as a performing animal at events such as jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat in the manner ... practised traditionally... by any community”. Among the conditions it imposed were that bullock cart races be organised on a proper track, which shall not exceed 2 km.

In case of jallikattu, the moment the bull leaves the enclosure, it shall be tamed within a radial distance of 15 metres and it should also be ensured that the bulls are put to proper testing by the authorities of the animal husbandry and veterinary department to ensure that they are in good physical condition to participate in the event.

Performance enhancement drugs are not to administered to the bulls. On December 23, the Tamil Nadu government had urged the Centre to introduce a bill to amend laws for its conduct. It also suggested a special Parliament session for the purpose or even promulgating an ordinance given the “urgency” of the matter.

Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately direct the environment ministry to introduce a bill to suitably amend provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and that it had to be passed immediately to enable the conduct of jallikattu on Pongal day.

In a tweet, Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan said: “Central government has given permission for holding Jallikattu. Union Minister @PrakashJavdekar called me now to give the good news that arrangements to conduct #Jallikattu in TN has been made.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the move.

According to the notification, jallikattu, or bullock cart races, shall have to be held with the prior approval of the district authorities and should be duly monitored by the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and State Animal Welfare Board or the district authorities to ensure that no unnecessary pain or suffering is inflicted or caused during the course of such events.