The suspense over the issue of revoking the ban on jallikattu continues, even as the Pongal festival is approaching.
As on date, there is no official word from the Central government on the issue. But, sources in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has told The Hindu that the Union Ministry is exploring the possibility of issuing a notification to remove bulls from the list of performing animals for exhibition and training.
Since July 2011, bulls form part of the list, which has been drawn up as per Section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
In May last year, the Supreme Court imposed ban on jallikattu and other such events. On Monday, a group of senior officials of the Tamil Nadu government, led by S. Vijayakumar, Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Secretary, met top officers of the MoEF in New Delhi with a request to have the deletion carried out.
MoEF sources said that since the Supreme Court had banned jallikattu, allowing it would invite contempt of court. So, on receiving representations from the State government, the Ministry was considering exempting bulls from this list so that it does not attract contempt of court. It will also ensure that no cruelty is perpetrated on the animals, the sources add.
However, the Animal Welfare Board of India, in a press release issued in Chennai on Tuesday, stated that “the ban on Jallikattu, bullock cart races, cock fights/animal fights is still in force and any violation of such a ban will amount to a serious contempt of court. The law enforcement agencies are requested to ensure that the judgment of the Supreme Court is implemented strictly and in compliance with the directions given by the Supreme Court.”
