No 'Jallikattu' in Tamil Nadu this year, rules SC; PETA hails move

New Delhi: In a major development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a recent notification by the Centre which lifted the ban on Jallikattu - a popular bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu.

Responding to a bunch of petitions challenging the Centre's January 8 notification in this regard, the apex court said, “No Jallikattu will be held in Tamil Nadu this year.''

The order was passed by the apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Mishra after Justice R Banumathi recused herself from hearing the case this morning. She was part of the earlier three judge bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur.

The apex court also issued a notice to the Centre,Tamil Nadu and other states where Jallikattu is played.

Reacting to the development, DMK leader MK Stalin said, ''SC ruling on Jallikattu has to be suitably responded by the Centre, only they can take a decision on it.''

Citing cruelty to animals, the Animal Welfare Board, PETA and 11 other organisations had challenged the Centre's move to lift ban on the controversial bull taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

PETA today hailed the move, terming the SC ruling as 'partial victory'.

PETA had on Friday criticised the Central Government's decision to permit events like 'Jallikattu' and bull races in Tamil Nadu and said that it would challenge the move in the Supreme Court.

"Of course we are going to challenge it and we will fight until the animals are given their rights again. But because of notification in the coming few days whatever deaths of humans and animals happen it is responsibility of the ministry, which has done something unconstitutional," Dr. Chaitanya Koduri, Advisor, PETA had told ANI.

The Ministry Of Environment Forest And Climate Change had issued a notification saying 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 the customs of any community or practiced traditionally under the customs or as part of culture.'

But there were certain provisions that such races will organised on a 'proper track' and bulls are put to proper testing by the authorities of the Animal Husbandry.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for paving the way for the sport of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal festivities and expressed her happiness at the Centre's decision saying that the 'traditional sport' upheld the culture and values of the state.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kiran Bedi slammed the Centre's decision to permit 'Jallikattu' saying that the 'abhorrent' and 'brutish' tradition did not encourage a civilised society.