SC declares amended Jallikattu law valid

The Supreme Court termed Jallikattu a “type of bovine sport” existing in Tamil Nadu for at least a century, and did not interfere with the State legislature’s finding that the bull-taming event is part of the cultural heritage and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Key-highlights

• The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act of 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules of 2017.
• The apex court also upheld the validity of laws passed by Maharashtra and Karnataka to allow the bullock-cart races and buffalo racing sport Kambala in their respective regions.

What is Jallikattu?

• Jallikattu is a 2,000 years old competitive bull taming sport in which contestants attempt to tame a bull for a prize, wherein if they fail, the bull owner wins the prize.
• Jallikattu belt: It is revered across the Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Pudukkottai and Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu.
• It is celebrated in the second week of January at the time of the Pongal (harvest) festival, and also represents a symbolic event to honor bull owners who rear them for mating.
• Preservation of pure-breed native bulls: Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Bargur and Malai Maadu are among some native cattle breeds reared for Jallikattu in the state.
• Cultural significance:
  • Sport cultivates and represents a cordial man-animal relationship, wherein the owner strives to develop an “emotional connect” with the bull through the long process of rearing.