Supreme Court’s decision on ‘Jallikattu’ today, Tamil Nadu government argues – no cruelty is done to bulls

New Delhi. A five-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court will on Thursday pronounce its verdict on petitions challenging Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra laws allowing bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ and bullock cart races. ‘Jallikattu’ is also known as ‘Eruthazhuvuthal’. This bull-taming game is played on the occasion of Pongal harvest festival in Tamil Nadu.

The Supreme Court had reserved its decision on these petitions in December last year. During that time, a five-judge constitution bench of Justice KM Joseph, Justice Ajay Rastogi, Justice Aniruddha Bose, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice CT Ravikumar heard Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, and several other lawyers representing the intervenors. Arguments were heard.

The Tamil Nadu government has defended in the Supreme Court the law allowing bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ in the state, saying it is a “misconception” that sport or entertainment cannot have cultural value. The Tamil Nadu government, in its written submissions filed in the apex court, said that ‘Jallikattu’ is a religious and cultural festival which has ‘religious significance’ for the people of the state and does not violate the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Would do

During the arguments, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph was told by senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, that a sporting event can be a cultural event as well and there was no cruelty to bulls in ‘Jallikattu’ caste. Dwivedi said that it is a ‘misconception’ that sports or entertainment cannot have cultural value.

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Tags: Jallikattu, supreme court, tamilnadu