Supreme Court upholds law allowing Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, supporters celebrate

Supreme Court on May 18 upheld Tamil Nadu law allowing bull-taming sport `Jallikattu` in the State. Bull tamers and owners celebrated the Supreme Court verdict upholding the validity of the bull-taming sport. Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy termed the Supreme Court verdict as "historical". Court said that Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2017, substantially minimises pain, suffering to animals. Supreme Court says `Jallikattu` is a part of the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. The bench noted that Jallikattu has been going on for the last few centuries. The petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the State laws. SC dismissed all the pleas challenging the validity of states’ laws allowing bull-taming sport Jallikattu. SC 5-judge bench disagrees with view in the 2014 judgment in Nagaraja that Jallikettu is not part of cultural heritage. Jallikattu is conducted during the Pongal festival as thanksgiving for a good harvest. Subsequent festivals are conducted in temples which shows that the event has great spiritual significance.