Madras HC bans use of foreign breeds in Jallikattu

Current GK ( Master) States Updates

03-Sep-21

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Directs TN Govt to ensure use of only native breeds
The Madras High Court has directed the State government to ensure that only native breed of bulls are allowed to participate in Jallikattu. Henceforth, there should be a prohibition on participation of foreign breeds such as Bos Taurus or cross / hybrid breed bulls (Bos Taurus x Bos Indicus).
Justices N. Kirubakaran (since retired) and P. Velmurugan passed the order while allowing a writ petition filed by E. Seshan (71) of Chennai. He had insisted on participation of native bulls alone in events such as Jallikattu, Manjuvirattu, Oormadu, Vadamadu, Vadamanjivirattu and Eruduthu Viduthal.
Agreeing with the concerns expressed by the petitioner who lamented loss of native species, the judges directed the government to encourage bull owners and farmers to groom native breeds by providing subsidy or incentives to farmers or bull owners who do so. Veterinarians must certify the bulls before participation in Jallikattu, they ordered.
The court also warned veterinarians of contempt of court proceedings if they falsely certify an imported or cross/hybrid breed as a native breed and if such illegality was brought to the notice of the court. Such veterinarians would also be subjected to departmental proceedings, the court said.
The Bench also ordered that the government should, as far as possible, avoid artificial insemination of animals since it would deny mating rights of animals and thereby amount to cruelty under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.
Recalling that hundreds of bulls would get paraded to the Mandaiveli (yards) in each village during Pongal festival, the judges rued that the number had thinned now, and the native bulls were fast disappearing from villages forcing the latter to lose their originality.
The Bench pointed out that the State government had enacted a legislation in 2017 for conduct of Jallikattu and the primary objective of that legislation was to preserve native breeds such as Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Nattumadu, Malaimadu and Kangeyam.
Historic high court of Madras, built in 1892, featuring monumental Indo-Saracenic architecture.
Address: High Ct Rd, Parry's Corner, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600108
Founded: 15 August 1862, India
Established: 1862