A batch of petitions challenging Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments' laws allowing the bull-taming sport 'Jallikattu' and bullock cart races was being heard a five-judge Constitution bench. Pic/AFP
The top court also upheld the validity of similar laws framed by the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka allowing sports involving animals. It also noted that Jallikattu has been going on for the last few centuries. Pic/PTI
According to ANI, strictly observing that the law, having received President's assent can't be interfered with, the bench dismissed all the pleas challenging the validity of states' laws allowing bull-taming sport "Jallikattu" and bullock cart races. Five-judge Constitution bench directed that all laws are strictly implemented and the DM and competent authorities shall be responsible for strict implementation of the amended law. Pic/AFP
The Tamil Nadu government had defended the event of "Jallikattu" and told the apex court that sporting events can also be a cultural event and there is no cruelty on the bulls in "Jallikattu". Pic/PTI
Jallikattu is conducted during the Pongal festival as thanksgiving for a good harvest and subsequent festivals are conducted in temples which shows that the event has great cultural and spiritual significance, it had added. In February 2018, the Supreme Court had referred to the Constitution bench whether the people of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra can conserve Jallikattu and bullock-cart races as their cultural right and demand their protection under Article 29 (1) of the Constitution. Pic/AFP
The Supreme Court had earlier said that the petitions challenging the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, needed to be decided by a larger bench since they involved substantial questions relating to interpretation of the Constitution. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had amended the central law, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and allowed Jallikattu and bullock cart racing, respectively. The petitions were filed in the top court challenging the State laws. Pic/PTI
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