Centre allows Kila Raipur bull race, Jallikattu in TN
New Delhi, January 8
The Central Government allowed Tamil Nadu’s controversial bull taming sport Jallikattu on Friday, more than a year after the Supreme Court banned the sport citing animal cruelty.
In its most recent notification, the Central Government allowed sports involving bulls across the country, such as the Kila Raipur bullock cart racing in Punjab, but laid down guidelines on how these sports should be conducted.The notification comes notwithstanding animal rights' groups objections to such sports.
"...The Central Government hereby specifies that following animals shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animal, with effect from the date of publication of this notification, namely bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls.” “
Provided 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 customs of any community or practiced traditionally," the notification said.
The notification comes a few days ahead of Pongal, when the sport is played in Tamil Nadu.
However, the Central Government mandates that bullock cart racing must be organised on an appropriate track no longer than 2 km. For taming sports like Jallikattu, the event must be conducted within 15 metre of the animal's enclosure. Additionally, bulls must be thoroughly checked by health authorities of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department before the sport. It also bans performance enhancement drugs for bovines.
Sporting events involving bulls also require sanction of district authorities and must be monitored by District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and State Animal Welfare Board or district authorities to ensure there is no cruelty to the animals.
The notification comes despite Animal Welfare Board of India (ABWI) advise to not go against Supreme Court's order banning Jallikattu.
The latest circular was met with celebrations across Tamil Nadu, where political parties have been seeking a review of the ban.
In a tweet, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan said: "Central Government has given permission for holding Jallikattu. Union Minister @PrakashJavdekar called me now to give the good news that arrangements to conduct #Jallikattu in TN has been made."
The latest notification came after Tamil Nadu government asked the Central Government to introduce a bill to amend law governing the sport on December 23, 2015. It also called for a special Parliament session for the purpose, even asking for an ordinance.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had urged the Prime Minister to immediately direct the Ministry of Environment to introduce a Bill to comprehensively and suitably amend relevant provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking him for his 'prompt response' to her government's appeal.
"I am very grateful to you for your prompt response in the matter, which has enabled the conduct of Jallikattu," she said in a letter to him.
She said the sport upheld “traditional cultural values and traditions of Tamil Nadu and had great historical significance and also ensures the conservation of native germ plasm and continuance of traditional breeds of indigenous cattle".
Jayalalithaa blamed the UPA for bringing bulls under the list of animals that could not be exhibited or treated as a performing animal.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar defended the Centre's move saying it is being allowed with "proper safeguards"
What we have allowed is with proper safeguards and (while) ensuring that there is no cruelty (meted out) to animals. Cultural and historical practices of the communities are being allowed with many restrictions," said Javadekar, who is currently on a three-day tour of northeastern states.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India criticised the central government’s decision by calling it a "black mark" on the nation.
"This U-turn is being seen by many of the BJP's own supporters as reckless, heartless, and weak. We vow to take our fight to protect bulls from cruelty back to the Supreme Court," said Poorva Joshipura, PETA India CEO.
The Animal Welfare division of Environment Ministry under the UPA government had issued a notification in 2011 banning the use of bulls as performing animals under Section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Supreme Court banned the sport in May 2014 citing animal welfare issues.
Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who wrote to Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar against revoking the ban on the controversial sport, refused to comment on the development.
However, People For Animals (PFA), an NGO that Gandhi founded, condemned the Central Government’s decision and said they would contest it.
"It is not only against the ideology of the (Centre) government, which has always protested against cow slaughtering, it is also against the Indian culture because Indian culture does not support violence and cruelty to animals. It stands for much better things," PFA member Gauri Maulekhi said.
"We are shocked as we do not expect this from the government. We have decided to oppose it at the appropriate forum," she said. — PTI
PETA India claims that terrified bulls are often deliberately disoriented through substances such as alcohol, have their tails twisted and bitten, stabbed and jabbed by sickles, spears, knives or sticks and also punched, jumped on and dragged to the ground in the sport.
The animal rights body estimates that there were 1,100 human injuries and 17 deaths, among them a child, in sporting events events like Jallikattu between 2010 and 2014. — PTI
