Jallikattu banned by Supreme Court

On Wednesday, in a major display of intolerance for animal cruelty, the Supreme Court banned the popular post-harvest sport Jallikattu or bullfights in Tamil Nadu and bullock-cart racing in Maharashtra, Punjab and other states because they violated the 50-year-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The bench, headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan, favoured elevating the rights of animals to “constitutional rights”. The bench said, “The Parliament, it is expected, would elevate rights of animals to that of constitutional rights, as done by many other countries, to protect their dignity and honour.” Referring the cruelty the bullocks are made to endure, the bench added that a large number of animals are getting injured and even dying in the event.

The Supreme Court also struck down a notification by the Tamil Nadu government in this regard, saying the central law which prohibited the use of animals shall prevail. It also struck down a proposal by the central government which suggested amending the list of animals prohibited from being trained for performances, and removing the bulls.

The court order came on a petition filed by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) against the Madras High Court which passed a ruling that allowed the sport to continue. The court directed Indian state governments and AWBI to take the necessary steps needed to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals because “all living creatures, including animals, have inherent dignity and a right to live peacefully and right to protect their well-being”.

"Sadism and perversity is writ large in the actions of the organisers of Jallikattu and the event is meant not for the wellbeing of the animal but for the pleasure and enjoyment of human beings, particularly the organisers and spectators," the court said.