SC puts Jallikattu on hold, Jaya writes to PM

The apex court stayed the Centre’s notification, issued last week, allowing Jallikattu, meaning the bull taming sport will not be held this year. A bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and N V Ramana said as an interim measure, “there shall be stay of notification dated January 7, 2016 issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.” 

The bench also issued notice to the Environment Ministry and Tamil Nadu on petitions filed by various bodies including the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) seeking striking down of the Centre’s notification and sought their replies within four weeks. The Centre’s notification was challenged by AWBI, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and a Bangalore-based NGO.

Immediately after the SC ruling, Jayalalithaa sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an ordinance to conduct Jallikattu during Pongal. The AIADMK Chief wrote, “The SC has granted interim stay of the notification of Union Environment Ministry. 

Therefore, Jallikattu cannot be conducted on the basis of this notification. Hence, considering the urgency of the issue, I strongly reiterate my earlier request to the Government of India to promulgate an ordinance forthwith to enable the conduct of Jallikattu. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urge you to take immediate action.”

Expressing annoyance that such an ordinance has not been brought so far, she added in the letter, “I wrote to you on December 22, requesting you to arrange for the promulgation of an ordinance for the conduct of Jallikattu. The Environment Ministry had issued a notification enabling the conduct of the traditional sport. On this basis, arrangements have been made by organisers all over the state for the conduct of Jallikattu.”

Meanwhile, AWBI Chairman, Maj General (retd) R M Kharb hailed the apex court’s decision. He told Millennium Post, “We are very happy that we have been able to safeguard the welfare of Jallikattu bulls. Inherently Jalliakttu is a very cruel event. The AWBI has monitored Jallikattu for four years from 2001-2004 and made detailed films and all those were given to the SC when they were addressing the issue in 2014. The torture and cruelty suffered by the Jallikattu bulls inflicted on them by the men participating in the event is evidently clear.” 

According to sources, the Environment Ministry had pulled up officials of the AWBI and also asked for the resignations of Kharb and AWBI Vice-Chairman Chinny Krishna for challenging the Ministry’s notification which allowed Jallikattu. 

Despite pressure from the Ministry, the AWBI decided to approach the SC.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi represented the Government in court on Tuesday, despite having reservations on the issue. 

Millennium Post on January 9 had quoted Rohatgi as saying, “I told them (the Government) either you meet the conditions of the court, or else it (notification) should not be issued.”