Jallikattu: India court says Tamil Nadu bullfighting ban remains

• 4 hours ago
 
• From the sectionIndia

Image copyrightJ Suresh

Image captionAnimal rights activists says Jallikattu is a "cruel sport"

The Indian Supreme Court has put on hold a recent government order lifting a ban on Jallikattu, a form of bullfighting which has been popular for centuries in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The order came after activists challenged the government decision on grounds of cruelty to animals.

Tuesday's court order means there will be no Jallikattu festival this year.

The Jallikattu festival was scheduled to begin on 15 January across the state after no event was held last year.

At the annual festival held in January, thousands of men chase the bulls to grab prizes tied to their horns.

In 2014 too, the Supreme Court had banned the festival after objections from animal rights activists.

In its 2014 order, the Supreme Court had said that the use of bulls in the sport "severely harmed" the animals and was an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

However last Friday the government issued an order lifting the ban.

Image copyrightJ Suresh

Image captionJallikattu is more than 2,000 years old and considered to be one of the oldest sports still practised in the modern era

On Monday, the Animal Welfare Board of India, animal rights groups and activists filed six petitions in the court, challenging the "cruel sport".

The petitioners have welcomed Tuesday's court order.

In Jallikattu, bulls are released from pens, with bullfighters supposed to hold on to the animals hump for about 15-20 metres or three jumps of the bull to win the prize.

The ban had been criticised by political parties and cultural organisations in the state who had argued that Jallikattu was a part of their cultural tradition.

Jallikattu is more than 2,000 years old and considered to be one of the oldest sports still practised in the modern era.

Over the years, scores of people have been gored or trampled to death in the contests.

Hundreds, including spectators, have been mauled or injured.