Jallikattu hearing in SC today

The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the petitions challenging the central notification allowing 'Jallikattu' in Tamil Nadu.The Animal Welfare Board has moved the apex court against Centre's move to lift ban on the controversial bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

PETA on Friday had criticised the Central Government's decision to permit events like 'Jallikattu' and bull races in Tamil Nadu and said it would challenge the move in the Supreme Court.

"Of course we are going to challenge it (in the court) and we will fight until the animals are given their rights again. But because of notification in the coming few days whatever deaths of humans and animals happen it is responsibility of the ministry, which has done something unconstitutional," Dr. Chaitanya Koduri, Advisor, PETA said.

The Ministry Of Environment Forest And Climate Change had issued a notification saying that 'bulls may be 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 by the customs of any community or practiced traditionally under the customs or as part of culture.'

But there were certain provisions that such races will organised on a 'proper track' and bulls are put to proper testing by the authorities of the Animal Husbandry.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for paving the way for the sport of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal festivities and expressed her happiness at the Centre's decision saying that the 'traditional sport' upheld the culture and values of the state.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kiran Bedi slammed the Centre's decision to permit 'Jallikattu' saying that the 'abhorrent' and 'brutish' tradition did not encourage a civilised society.