Jallikattu: No stay on new law, says Supreme Court as it slams Tamil Nadu govt for chaos

Source:- indiatoday.intoday.in

Refusing to stay the new jallikattu law passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the Supreme Court however slammed the state government today for not following the law and order during the massive protests earlier this month to revive the bull-taming sport.

Asking the AIADMK government to reply to its notice within six weeks, the apex court said, “The question to be addressed is that whether jallikattu can be allowed under the protection granted to certain traditions.”

“The question whether the sport or the festival of jallikattu and the subsequent amendment to the Protection of Animals From Cruelty Act, 1960  takes away the basis of the 2014 judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of Nagaraja,” it said.

TOP COURT BENCH TAKES OFFENCE TO DEFIANCE OF VERDICT

Issuing notice on a plea seeking stay on the amendment permitting the popular bull-taming sport, the bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Rohinton Nariman, took exception to the manner in which the Supreme Court verdict was sought to be openly defied.

“We are only concerned with the court’s honour, which we we all share,” the bench told the senior counsel appearing for the Tamil Nadu government.

The Supreme Court was hearing petitions challenging the amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1980, by Tamil Nadu for permitting jallikattu — the bull-taming sport held in the state during Pongal.

The petitions have been filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and the Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), challenging the amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, passed by the by Tamil Nadu assembly on January 23.

AMBI CONTESTS VALIDITY OF LAW ALLOWING JALLIKATTU

While the AWBI is contesting the validity of the Tamil Nadu law permitting Jallikattu, a Tamil Nadu lawyer GS Mani sought its rejection, saying that state Assembly has the authority to amend the law for permitting jallikattu.

The Supreme Court by its May 7, 2014 verdict had banned Tamil Nadu’s centuries-old jallikattu, saying that bulls could not be used as performing animals, either for the jallikattu events or bullock-cart races.

Holding that jallikattu, bullock-cart race and such events per se violate the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals Act, the apex court in its May 7 verdict had said: “Parliament, it is expected, would elevate rights of animals to that of constitutional rights, as done by many of the countries around the world, so as to protect their dignity and honour.”