The Supreme Court has upheld the annual Jallikattu sport in Tamil Nadu and refused to ban it. The apex Court has upheld the state government’s law that allows Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. There were calls for the law to be repealed, citing cruelty to the participating bulls in Jallikattu. Besides, Tamil Nadu’s law was said to be in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act passed by the Parliament.
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A Supreme Court constitution bench on Thursday affirmed the state laws allowing cultural events involving animals, including the bull taming sport Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and bullock or buffalo races in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Upholding the Tamil Nadu law, the court said that the laws framed by Maharashtra and Karnataka are also affirmed on the same principles.
The five-judge bench, headed by Justice KM Joseph, also approved of bullock or buffalo races in Maharashtra and Karnataka prohibited following a 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court citing cruelty to animals. The bench, said the state laws were in sync with the constitutional powers accorded to the states under List III of the Constitution.
Reading out the judgment on behalf of the bench, Justice Aniruddha Bose said the Tamil Nadu law allowing Jallikattu is not a colourable piece of legislation, and it does not go contrary to any other constitutional provision. The judge added that after receiving a valid presidential assent, the state law does not suffer from any other legal flaw.
The bench directed the district magistrates and other competent authorities to ensure strict compliance with the laws and the rules framed to protect animals from physical and mental trauma.
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