It has sufficient safeguards for orderly conduct, contends Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted the Tamil Nadu Government to conduct jallikattu from January 15 in accordance with the law enacted by it and rules framed for regulation of the event.

A Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra in a brief order also made it clear that the event should be conducted strictly in terms of orders passed by the apex court from time to time. The 2009 Act passed by the State provides that no jallikattu event will be permitted or held without the written permission of the District Collector. It should be sought and obtained at least a month prior to the event. Jallikattu events can take place only in about 180 places identified and notified in the gazette (subject to additions and deletions). The Collectors shall ensure that animals participating in the jallikattu and related events are registered and conditions imposed for the exhibition and participation of the animals implemented and followed by those organising the events and the owners of the registered animals.

The Collectors shall notify the Chennai Chapter of Animal Welfare Board of India about the events to enable the Animal Welfare Board to depute its representatives/animal inspectors/ volunteers to be observers for the events.

Under the rules spectators will not be allowed to enter the jallikattu area where bulls are tamed by bull tamers, by increasing the height of the barricade up to eight feet.

The government said that a full-fledged veterinary team would be available at the venue for testing and certifying the bulls for participation in the event to provide treatment for bulls that might get injured.

“The Act has sufficient safeguards and regulations for the orderly conduct of the event and it was not necessary to incorporate all the suggestions of the petitioner in the law,” the State said.

The Bench directed the matter to be listed for further hearing on February 14.