The story so far: A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on May 18 upheld the amendments made by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 [PCA Act] permitting the traditional bull-taming sports of Jallikattu and Kambala and other bullock-cart races. The five-judge Bench overruled the view taken by a two-judge Bench of the Court in its 2014 ruling in Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja, banning such sports— including Jallikattu.
What is the practice of Jallikattu?
Jallikattu, also known as ‘Eruthazhuvuthal’, is a bull-taming sport traditionally played in Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu refers to silver or gold coins tied on bulls’ horns. In this, a bull is released into a field; whoever is able to take control of the bull by grabbing the large hump on its back wins the sport. It is typically a part of celebrations in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal day, the third day of the four-day Pongal festival.
