Context-Recently Over 100 people were injured in three Jallikattu events in Tamil Nadu.

What is Jallikattu?

• Jallikattu is a sport conducted as a part of Mattu Pongal (the 3^rd day of the four-day long harvest, Pongal).
• Jallikattu is also known as eru thazhuvuthal or manju virattu.
• The Tamil word ‘Mattu’ means bull and the 3^rd day of Pongal is dedicated to cattle. Bulls get precedence over cows because it helps in the ploughing of field, pulling their cart of goods and mating with cows to produce more offspring and in turn more production of milk.
• Jallikattu is derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns. In older times, the tamer sought to remove this bundle from the animal’s head to win gold or silver. He would be called ‘brave’ and ‘valourous’ and would also sometimes be rewarded with a bride.

What is the history of Jallikattu?

• Jalikattu is believed to have been practiced since at least 2500 years.
• A seal from Indus Valley civilization depicting the practice is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi.
• A cave painting that depicts a man trying to tame a bull is estimated to be 2500 years old by the Archaeologists.
• There are references to people enjoying witnessing and participating in Jalikattu in Silappatikaram one of the 5 great epics of Tamil classical period and 2 other ancient literary works like Kalithogai and Malaipadukadaam.

Why PETA and other animal rights activists want to ban Jallikattu?

• Bulls are deliberately placed in a terrifying situation in which they are forced to run away from a mob of men. The bulls are so frightened that in desperation they jump off barriers which result in fatal injuries. The participants and spectators are also at risk.
• Bulls are often provoked with alcohol, sticks, knives, sickles and even chilli powder in the eyes.
• Betting on the bulls is another problem.

Judgments on Jallikattu

1991

• The Environment Ministry had banned the training and exhibition of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and dogs. This was challenged by the Indian Circus organisation in the Delhi High Court but the court upheld the notification.
• The ban on Jallikattu itself has existed on and off since 2006.

2006

• Madras High Court banned it after the death of a young spectator.

2009

• The ban was subsequently lifted with the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009.

2011

• The Environment Ministry at the Center issued a notification especially mentioning ‘bulls’.
• But even after the 2011 notice, the Jallikattu practice continued to be held because under the Tamil Nadu Regulation Act No. 27 of 2009.
• After it was found that the regulations were not being followed and that bulls were indeed being subjected to cruelty as defined under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a petition.

2014

• The Supreme Court banned Jallikattu and struck down the 2009 act.

2016

• In January 2016, in what could be seen as a clearly political move, the union environment ministry revoked the ban by issuing a notification months before the elections in Tamil Nadu were due to be held.
• In January 2016, Supreme Court stayed this 2016 Union Government notification, as it was challenged by the AWBI and PETA. The case is still being heard and so far the Court has not delivered its final verdict.

2017

• Several hundreds of protesters conducted a rally at Chennai Marina opposing the ban on Jallikattu. The participants walked from the lighthouse to the labour statue bearing posters saying ‘save Jallikattu’.
• Due to these protests, on 21 January 2017, the Governor of Tamil Nadu issued a new ordinance that authorized the continuation of jallikattu events. The ordinance is a ‘State amendment’ to the Central Act – Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960). This means that in its application to Tamil Nadu, some provisions will be different from what they are for the rest of the country. PCA falls under Entry 17 (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. This means both the Centre and the States have concurrent power to enact laws on the subject.
• On 23 January 2017, the Tamil Nadu legislature passed a bi-partisan bill, with the accent of Indian President, exempting jallikattu from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960). But Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act of 2017 is not much different from the state law overturned by Supreme Court in 2009.

Section 4 in The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

For the promotion of animal welfare generally and for the purpose of protecting animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering, in particular, there shall be established by the Central Government, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, a Board to be called the ³ [Animal Welfare Board of India]

Animal Welfare Board of India:

• It is a statutory body
• It is an advisory body advising the Government of India on animal welfare laws, and promotes animal welfare in the country of India.
• The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.
• The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
• It works to ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are followed and provides grants to Animal Welfare Organisations.
• The Board was initially within the jurisdiction of the Government of India’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In 1990, the subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, where it now resides.

• It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured.
• HQ shifted to Ballabhgarh in Faridabad District of Haryana from Chennai, Tamil Nadu

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

• It is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 6.5 million members and supporters.
• PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.
• PETA India, based in Mumbai, was launched in January 2000. It operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way