Tag : Jallikattu

    SC upholds Tamil Nadu government's law allowing bull-taming sport "Jallikattu" in State

    Jallikattu
    Chirag Kaul
    May18/ 2023

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the Tamil Nadu government's law allowing the bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu' in the State. Supreme Court, however, said that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, substantially minimises pain and suffering to animals. A five-judge Constitution bench of Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar was hearing a batch of petitions challenging Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments' laws allowing the bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu' and bullock cart races. Supreme Court also allowed the validity of similar laws framed by the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka allowing sports involving animals. The bench noted that Jallikattu has been going on for the last few centuries. Strictly observing that the law, having received President's assent can't be interfered with, the bench dismissed all the pleas challenging the validity of states' laws allowing bull-taming sport "Jallikattu" and bullock cart races. Five-judge Constitution bench directed that all laws are strictly implemented and the DM and competent authorities shall be responsible for strict implementation of the amended law. The Tamil Nadu government had defended the event of "Jallikattu" and told the apex court that sporting events can also be a cultural event and there is no cruelty on the bulls in "Jallikattu". Jallikattu is conducted during the Pongal festival as thanksgiving for a good harvest and subsequent festivals are conducted in temples which shows that the event has great cultural and spiritual significance, it had added. In February 2018, the Supreme Court had referred to the Constitution bench whether the people of Tamil Nadu a ...

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