The Supreme Court on Monday admitted a writ petition filed by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, challenging the Tamil Nadu law regulating the conduct of jallikattu.
A Bench of Justices R.V. Raveendran and A.K. Patnaik, while issuing notice to the State government, the Centre and the Animal Welfare Board of India, directed the petition to be tagged with the main jallikattu case pending in court.
The petitioner challenged the TN Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009 contending that it had declared legal an activity, which was an offence under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
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It was evident that the bulls were made to suffer and bear the beatings, kickings and torture by overpowering men, who have absolutely no concern for the animal.
The entire action involved in jallikattu was in direct contravention and blatant violation of Section 11 of the PCA Act. Apart from the cruelty to animals, this was a fatal event where not only tamers but also spectators were killed and injured seriously year after year.
“It is so painful to note that just for the purpose of entertainment a cruel and fatal event is conducted, thereby infringing on the right of life as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution.”
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The cruel and forcible knocking down of a bull could, by no stretch of imagination, be termed performance. The unwilling bull, “which is endeavouring to protect its life and body from the brutal attacks from the mob can ever be termed a performing animal.”
Pointing out that the object of the PCA Act was to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals, the petitioner sought a declaration that the 2009 Act was ultra vires the Constitution and repugnant to the provisions of the PCA Act.