Tamil Nadu: The Supreme Court upheld a Tamil Nadu law allowing the sport ‘Jallikattu’ to be played in Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court says that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, reduces the pain and suffering of animals to a great extent.
Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Raghupathi announced the decision and said that the people of Tamil Nadu wanted to continue the sport of Jallikattu. Our culture, our traditions—everything has been preserved. The Supreme Court has made a good decision. We will protect all animals from cruelty. There will be no cruelty to any animal in Jallikattu.
The Supreme Court said that Jallikattu, the bullock cart race, is correct according to the law, and it is the duty of the state government to protect and safeguard animals. Please tell me that Jallikattu is also known as ‘Eruthazhuvuthal’.
History of Jallikattu
The history of Jallikattu is more than 2500 years old. Bulls are worshipped on the third day of Pongal (the New Year) in Tamil Nadu, and Jallikattu is followed by the sport.
In this game, the players have to control the running bull or the bull in the field. People ran after the bull to control it; it was said to be cruelty against the animal.
In 2011, the central government also included bulls in the list of animals for exhibition and training. After this, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) demanded a ban on the sport of jallikattu. In 2014, the Supreme Court also banned it.
After the Supreme Court ban, the Tamil government demanded an ordinance from the Centre to continue the game. In 2016, the central government issued a notification re-allowing the game under certain conditions.
But the law allowing Jallikattu once again led to protests, and PETA once again reached the Supreme Court regarding the matter. The Supreme Court at first rejected the petition, but after the review petition was filed, the Court agreed to hear it.
