Indian court Supreme Court bans Tamil Nadu’s traditional bullfights after animal welfare outcry
India continues to move forward, with more comprehensive legislation to protect animals because the right of an animal to remain free from harm trumps tradition. Meanwhile in dominion nations, bullfighting and animal sacrifice are legal—protected under the guise of freedom of religion. In dominion nations religion trumps compassion, as they regress back to biblical values established in Genesis. By the way, to anticipate derisive comments: Of course there is animal abuse in India, but there is also legislation to combat it. The laws are on the side of the animals, whereas in Judeo-Christian nations the laws favor human exploiters and abusers. India is moving forward in these regards, the USA is regressing steadily back to the values of primitive Genesis mythology.
The ban may signal the end of the jallikattu bull fighting festival in Tamil Nadu
The Indian Supreme Court has banned a version of bull fighting which has been popular for centuries in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Jallikattu is an annual festival in which thousands of men chase the bulls to grab prizes tied to their horns.
The court said that use of bulls in the sport “severely harmed” the animals and was an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animals Act.
Animals rights activists have described it as a “landmark” verdict.
“This is a landmark victory for animals in India. Year after year, court guidelines or laws were violated during jallikattu and bull races, and countless bulls and people have suffered and even painfully died,” a a spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) told the Press Trust of India.
The Supreme Court had previously banned the practice in January 2008, but reversed its order four days later, saying the sport could be allowed if certain guidelines were followed.
The state government, which had appealed against the order, saying the ban hurt the sentiments of the people, assured the Supreme Court that it would follow the guidelines to make the sport safe.
In 2011, the state government introduced a law to regulate jallikattu to prevent deaths and injuries to spectators during the sport.
Every year, dozens of people are injured and some are killed during the festival. Organisers say bullfighting is a sacrosanct Indian tradition, mentioned in ancient scriptures. They say the sport has existed for more than 2,000 years and is an integral part of Tamil culture.
‘Animals have the right to live peacefully’: Supreme Court bans Tamil Nadu’s traditional bullfights after animal welfare outcry
Upholding animal rights and pointing out the “untold cruelty” the bovines are subjected to, the Supreme Court on Wednesday banned centuries-old Jallikattu-bullfights and bullock-cart racing- organised during festivals in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.
Significantly, the bench headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan favoured elevating the rights of the animals to “constitutional rights”.
“The Parliament, it is expected, would elevate rights of animals to that of constitutional rights, as done by many other countries, to protect their dignity and honour,” the bench said.
Banned: Jallikattu, which includes bullfights and bullock-cart racing, is organised during festivals in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states
The court order came on a petition filed by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) against the judgment of Madras High Court, which allowed the sport to continue.
Besides referring to the cruelty the bullocks are made to endure, the bench also spoke about a large number of the animals getting injured and even dying during the event.
The court directed governments and AWBI to take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals saying “all living creatures, including animals, have inherent dignity and a right to live peacefully and right to protect their well-being”.
Welcoming the SC order, animal rights association People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said it is a landmark victory for animals in India.
“Year after year, court guidelines or laws were violated during Jallikattu and bull races, because of which countless bulls and people have painfully died,” Dr Manilal Valliyate, PETA India, said in a statement.
“Animal also has honour and dignity of which it cannot be arbitrarily deprived of. Its rights and privacy have to be respected and protected from unlawful attacks”, the bench said.
The apex court said organisers of Jallikattu are depriving the rights guaranteed to the bulls under Section 3 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“Sadism and perversity is writ large in the actions of the organisers of Jallikattu and the event is meant not for the wellbeing of the animal but for the pleasure and enjoyment of human beings, particularly the organisers and spectators”, the court said.