Status of ‘Ban on Jallikkattu’- Traditional Bravery Sport of Tamil Nadu

A  ‘Bravery Sports’ called ‘Jallikkattu’ and ‘Bullock Cart Races’ wherein ‘Bulls’ would be used, had been banned in India since the year 2011, vide- the ‘2011- Notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ regarding ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’, thereby including, the ‘Bulls’ along with, ‘Bears’, ‘Monkeys’, ‘Tigers’, ‘Panthers’ and ‘Lions’.

In May 2014, the Supreme Court of India,  upheld the ‘2011 Notification by the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ to include ‘Bulls’ in the category of animals that shall not be used as performing animals, meaning that ‘Bulls’ could not be exhibited or trained as performing animals for the events of ‘Jallikattu’ and ‘Bullock Cart Races’.

On 07th January 2015, the Union Government of India has added the following clauses in the ‘2011- Notification’ banning the ‘Bulls’ being used in the exhibition and training as performing animals:

“ Provided that bulls may be continued 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 a part of culture, in any part of the country subject  to the following conditions, namely:-

(i)    such event shall take place in any  District where it  is being  traditionally held  annually,  at such place explicitly permitted by  the District Collector or the District Magistrate; 

(ii)    bullock cart race shall be organised on a proper track, which shall not exceed two kilometres.

In case of Jallikattu,the moment the bull leaves the enclosure, it shall be tamed within a radial distance of 15 metre;

(iii)    ensure that the bulls are put to proper testing by the authorities of the Animal Husbandry and  Veterinary Department to ensure that they are in good physical condition to participate in the  event and performance enhancement drugs are not administered to the bulls in any form; and

(iv)     ensure that the rights conferred upon the animals under section 3 and clause (a) and clause (m)  of sub-section (1) of section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960) and five freedoms declared by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated 7th May, 2014 in Civil Appeal No. 5387 of 2014 are fully protected during such events:

Provided,  further that any event of ‘Jallikattu’ or ‘bullock cart races’ so organised shall be held with the prior approval of the district Authorities concerned:

Provided,  also further that the ‘Jallikattu’ or ‘bullock cart races’ so organised shall be duly monitored by the  ‘District  Society  for  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals’  and  ‘State  Animal  Welfare  Board’  or  the  ‘District Authorities’, as the case  may be, ensuring that no unnecessary pain or suffering is inflicted or caused, in any manner, whatsoever, during the course of such events, or in preparation thereof.

The Following is the ‘Update’ on the above matter on 12th January 2016:

The Supreme Court of India has imposed an ‘Interim Stay’ on ‘JALLIKKATTU  on 12th January 2016, in response to a clutch of Petitions filed by ‘Animals Rights Groups’, including the ‘Animal Welfare Board of India’/AWBI, ‘People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’-India /’PETA’-India and a Bangalore based NGO, challenging the Union Government of India’s amendements / additions of Clauses, in the ‘2011-Notification by the Ministry of Environment & Forests regarding ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’

As the result of the ‘Interim Stay’ given by the Supreme Court of India, the ‘Traditional Bravery Sport’ of Tamil Nadu “JALLIKKATTU”  cannot be conducted in Tamil Nadu during 2016 Pongal Celebrations in the State.