Chennai: Animal welfare organisations and activists across the country on Wednesday welcomed the dismissal of a review petition filed before the Supreme Court by the Tamil Nadu government seeking review of the 2014 judgment banning use of bulls for jallikattu events in the state and bullock-cart races across the country.
“It is heartening to know that our (Animal Welfare Board of India’s) stand had been accepted by the Supreme Court. Jallikattu is a cruelty to both bull and humans. India is progressing and it’s time to come out of such cruel practices,” Dr R.M. Kharb, chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India told DC.
“We are delighted about the dismissal of the petition and are waiting for the next hearing where the notification of bulls under Performing Animals Act is to be argued,” renowned animal welfare activist Dr S Chinny Krishna said.
“The judgment by the Supreme Court bench in 2014 was reasonable, logical, upholding the law of the land and we do not foresee any major change in that judgment. So far the court has been rendering justice for the voiceless animals and we hope for the scenario to continue,” he added.
“The jallikattu case was examined for several years by both the Madras high court and the Supreme Court. In 2014, the court passed a landmark judgment banning jallikattu, but for some political mileage, the issue is kept in the limelight,” said an official of Madras SPCA.
“The apex court had declared Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, as constitutionally void and had also pulled up the state in the past pointing out that the event was promoting cruelty against animals. It’s time for the state and the political parties to leave the issue and move on towards the concept of animal welfare,” he added.
