The Indian government has lifted a four-year ban on 'Jallikattu' (a form of bullfight). The 'Jallikattu' is now open from Sankranti festival season in January 2016 onwards. Tamil people and politicians welcome the decision of the Centre, while the Animal Welfare Board of India is opposing the lifting of ban on Jallikattu.
Jallikattu has been a part of Sankranti festival for thousands of years in South Indian state Tamilnadu. Youth chase bulls to clinch prizes tagged to their horns during the festival season called Jallikattu. Yielding to pressure from animal rights activists, the Supreme Court imposed the ban on Jallikattu.
BBC reports that Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, has issued a notification lifting the ban on Jallikattu. The Supreme Court of India earlier, while imposing the ban, said that use of bulls in Jallikattu would severely harm the animals and was an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animals Act.
The Centre (Federal government) has justified its decision on lifting the ban saying that cultural and historical practices of communities would be allowed with restrictions. Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lifting the ban on Jallikattu.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has decided to challenges the Indian government's order lifting the ban on Jallikattu. The latest decision of the Centre lifting the ban on Jallikattu by altering its 2011 notification, has also cleared the way for other similar events such as bullock cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat, as reported by The Times of India.
With the latest lifting of ban, Jallikattu shall take place in any district where it's been held traditionally every year. The bullock cart race shall not exceed 2kilometer range. For any sort of bullsport, District collector or the district magistrate's permission is compulsory.
The decision to lift ban on Jallikattu was taken ahead of the elections, criticize the animal welfare activists. Tamilandu will have Assembly elections soon. The ruling NDA government has taken decision as BJP is planning to forge an alliance with AIADMK or the PMK. BJP state President Tamilisai Soundararajan said the decision would help them in polls, according to a news report by The Indian EXPRESS.
The Animal Welfare Board of India Chiarman Maj Gen (Retd) R M Kharbo has written a letter to Environment Secretary Ashok Lavasa questioning the Centre's decision on lifting the ban on Jallikattu. The board has appealed the Centre to reconsider its decision.
The Hindu news paper quoted an official saying : "We're hoping to make a mention today itself before the court. We anticipated this. We're surprised that the Centre is ready to diminish the stature of a Supreme Court order so brazenly."
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