Supreme Court allows Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi (IANS) | The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Tamil Nadu’s ‘Jallikattu’ law. Similar laws made by Maharashtra and Karnataka governments have also been allowed by the apex court. Justice K.M. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Joseph said it would uphold the view of the legislature. The legislature has taken the view that it is part of the cultural heritage of the state. The apex court said that when the legislature has said that Jallikattu is the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, the judiciary cannot take a different view. The Court emphasized that the legislature is best suited to decide this.
The bench said the court is satisfied from the materials that Jallikattu has been practiced in Tamil Nadu for many years and is considered as an integral part of Tamil culture. It does not come under the purview of the judiciary.
The apex court had in December last year reserved its order on the petitions challenging the laws of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra allowing bull-taming sport ‘Jallikattu’ and bullock cart racing.
In a written reply, the Tamil Nadu government had said that Jallikattu is not just entertainment but has great historical and cultural heritage.
In May 2014 Animal Welfare Board of India Vs. In the Nagaraja case, a two-judge bench of the apex court had banned the use of bulls for Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart races across the country. Tamil Nadu amended the central law, The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to allow Jallikattu.