Chennai: The state government has stipulated procedures for the conduct of jallikattu, examination of bulls, arena, bull run area, setting up of gallery, installation of CCTVs and other aspects and also amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 to ensure the bull taming sport is held in the state.
Safety and security of the bulls and elaborate procedures in conducting the event are of prime importance in the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (conduct of jallikattu) rules, 2017. It exempts the conduct of jallikattu from the provisions of the said Central Act 59 of 1960. The said Act 59 of 1960 has been amended for its application to the State of TN.
"Considering the vital role played by jallikattu in preserving and promoting tradition and culture among people in large parts of Tamil Nadu and also considering the vital role of jallikattu in ensuring survival and continuance of native breeds of bulls, the state govt have decided to exempt the conduct of jallikattu from the provisions of the said Central Act 59 of 1960. Accordingly, the Govt has decided to amend the said Central Act 59 of 1960 in its application to the State of Tamil Nadu," as per notification issued on Jan. 21.
As the Supreme Court had in the Animal Welfare Board of India Vs. A. Nagaraja found that the conduct of jallikattu was violative of the provisions of sections 3, 11 and 22 of that Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, promulgated by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, aims to frame rules under the said sub-section (2) of section 3 of the said Central Act 59 of 1960.
As per the new procedure, the event will be conducted in open ground allowing 20 minutes rest to the bulls before they are brought into the arena. Each bull shall be provided adequate space to exhibit the normal behaviour and given a minimum space of 60 square feet.
Adequate feed and water shall be provided to the bulls and they shall be allowed to perform their normal physiological functions. The owner of the bull shall always be by the side of the bull to assure the psychological safety and security of the bull.
Fixing of closed circuit cameras at vantage points apart, the arena will be about 50 square metre area and the bulls have to be embraced by the participants within this 50 square metre area.
Participants will not be permitted to stand in front of the bulls asthey enter the arena or block the exit way for the bulls. The participants shall be permitted only to embrace the bulls by their hump and run along with the bull for 15 metres or for 30 seconds or sustain three jumps of the bull.
Jallikattu guidelines
- Jallikattu can only be conducted by individual, organisation or group in places and days notified by the Government.
- District collector will not only register the names of the organisers but also inspect the jallikattu venue.
- Collector shall form a ‘Committee on jallikattu’ with officials from Revenue, Animal Husbandry, Police and Health Departments to oversee the conduct of the sport.
- Drugs, irritants, etc. should not be administered to the bulls.
- Organisers shall permit authorities of Animal Husbandry Department to examine the bulls.
- Onus on collector to ensure the bulls are free from any diseases and not intoxicated or administered with any substance with the object of making them more aggressive or ferocious.
- The participants shall not hold on to the tail, horns using their hands or restrict the movement of the bulls by holding on to the bulls' legs.
- The participants violating these guidelines shall be liable to be debarred from participating further in the event.
