(Image source from: Centre nods for Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu})
According to the reports, NDA government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre has lifted the ban on bull taming festival of Tamil Nadu named Jallikattu, amid protests. Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan has reportedly claimed that the Center is making arrangements to organize Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. He has reportedly said that the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javdekar gave a call to ‘give the good news’ that arrangements have been made for conducting Jallikattu in the state.
The Animal Welfare Board of India had urged the Union environment ministry for not to reverse the SC order imposed on Jallikattu ban in India. Jallikattu involves bull races and bullfights. The conduct of jallikattu in Tamil Nadu is altering a 2011 Ministry of Environment notification by exempting the sport from performances for which the bulls should not be used.
According to reports, a complaint was lodged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA) against the Javadekar’s statement that promised the nod for Jallikattu. Buzz around is that the Centre is planning to allow it, keeping the forthcoming assembly elections in view.
It was confirmed by the sources in the Animal Welfare Board of India that they will be immediately challenging the order. A top official said,
"We are hoping to make a mention today itself before the court. We anticipated this. We are surprised that the Centre is ready to diminish the stature of a Supreme Court order so brazenly."
-Sumana
