Chennai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday appeared to suggest to the Supreme Court that it needs to be aware of the cultural significance of Jallikattu, and not question the Centre's decision to go ahead with the bull taming festival in Tamil Nadu.
"Bulls are being worshiped from the Mahabharata period. We worship bulls. Since the bovine is used for agriculture, the Jallikattu is like a thanks giving ceremony to them. The Supreme Court doesn’t know about Jallikattu and are making statements that are completely irrelevant," BJP leader H. Raja said.
Raja also blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for "intentionally including the bull in the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2000 list under the influence of American Christian NGOs."
"The BJP is for the smooth conduct of Jallikattu. The UPA government has intentionally included bull in the performing animals list under the influence of American Christian NGOs. They want to destroy Indian traditions," he said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought an explanation from the Centre on its amendments and agreement for conducting Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.
The Animal Welfare Association has challenged the Centre's notification allowing Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu this year.
An apex court bench comprising Justices Amitava Roy and Dipak Misra asked the Centre for an explanation on the conditions under which they allowed the festival to be celebrated.
"How can you nullify the SC judgement which restricts the performance of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and all over India as the 2011 notification of the SC prohibits the animals, including bull, being used for performances," G.S. Mani, a lawyer said.
Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narsimhan represented the government during the hearing of the case.
The apex court had in its earlier judgement discouraged conducting Jallikattu, stating that the sport can be played only if it does not hurt the bulls or inflict any sort of pain upon them.
The matter will be next heard on December 7.
