Jallikattu - Timeline of Judgements

Jallikattu (or sallikkattu), also known as eru thazhuvuthal and manju virattu, is a traditional spectacle in which a bull is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.

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Origin –

•   Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu (in some areas of Maharastra, Karnatka and Gujrat too) as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day (the 3rd day of the four-day long event, Pongal).
•  Jallikattu was believed to be a common practice during the classical period (400-100 BC).
•   A seal from Indus Valley civilization depicting the practice is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi.

Etymology -

Jallikattu is derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie). Which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns. In older times, the tamer sought to remove this bundle from the animal’s head to win gold or silver. He would be called ‘brave’ and ‘valourous’ and would also sometimes be rewarded with a bride.

The bulls are well-fed and are bred by the villagers before the event. 

What happened to the bulls after the event is over ?

• The tamed weak bulls are used for domestic activities and agriculture. While,
•   The strong ones are used for breeding.

Timeline of Judgments on Jallikattu:

1991	The Environment Ministry had banned the training and exhibition of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and dogs. This was challenged by the Indian Circus organisation in the Delhi High Court but the court upheld the notification.
2004	Animal activists, the FIAPO (Federation of India Animal Protection Agencies) and PETA India started protest against the practice.The Animal Welfare Board of India filed a case in the Supreme Court of India for an outright ban on Jallikattu because of the cruelty to animals and the threat to public safety involved. Protestors claims that Jallikattu is promoted as bull taming it exploits the bulls’ natural nervousness as prey animals by deliberately placing them in a terrifying situation in which they are forced to run away from those they perceive as predators and the practice effectively involves catching a terrified animal.
2006	The Madras High Court banned it after the death of a young spectator.
2009	Tamil Nadu Government passed Regulation of Jallikattu Act[TNRJA], 2009 giving conditional permission for holding Jallikattu between January and May of any year.
2010	(27 November 2010) Supreme Court also gave conditional permission to jallikattu under the provisions of TNRJA, for a period of five months starting from 15 January of any year. The Government of Tamil Nadu ordered that ₹2 lakh (US$3,000) be deposited by the organizers in case of an accident or injury during the event and enacted a rule to allow a team of veterinarians be present at the venue for certifying the bulls for participation in the event and to provide treatment for bulls that get injured. SC Directions : ü  Bulls must be monitored by Animal welfare board officers to ensure no steroids or performance enhancing drugs are given. ü  Only 4 men against 1 bull. ü  Don’t allow Spectators in the ring. ü  Double barricades to protect innocent bystanders. ü  Medical teams to treat the wounded men and animals.
2011	The Ministry of Environment and Forests added bulls to its 1991 notification banning the training and exhibition of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and dogs. (Meaning organizers cannot train bulls for Jallikattu). But the practice continued to be held under Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act No 27 of 2009.
2013	PETA reports that despite SC guideline and Tamilandu Act, the cruelty continues. For example, to ensure bull behaves aggressively, organizers injure its tail, put chilli powder in its eyes, they even feed desi liquor to the bull. When bull behaves violently, crowd gangs up and beats it mercilessly. PETA made documentary, and asked SC for complete ban of this festival.
2014	(7 May 2014)The Supreme Court banned Jallikattu and struck down the 2009 act.
2016	ü  Jan , 2016: The Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change under Modi government amended the 2011 notification, allowing the Jallikattu and bullock cart races across Maharastra, Karnatka and Gujrat with certain conditions (this exemption is subject to the condition that bulls are treated properly and not subjected to cruelty). ü  July , 2016 : The Supreme Court, on a petition filed by Animal welfare Board and PETA, over turned the order and Banned the Sport .
2017	ü  Jan 8 2017,students and youngsters from Tamilnadu gathered at Chennai Marina and conducted a rally opposing the ban of Jallikattu. The participants walked from the lighthouse to labour statue bearing posters saying ‘save Jallikattu’. It is reported that there were 20,000 participants in the rally, which was organized by a group of non-political and youth organizations. Following the protests at Chennai, many students started rallies in various towns of Tamilnadu. ü  Jan 21 2017, Due to these protests,  the Governor of Tamil Nadu issued a new ordinance that authorized the continuation of Jallikattu events. The ordinance is a ‘State amendment’ to the Central Act – Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960). This means that in its application to Tamil Nadu, some provisions will be different from what they are for the rest of the country. PCA falls under Entry 17 (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. This means both the Centre and the States have concurrent power to enact laws on the subject. ü  Jan 23 2017, the Tamil Nadu legislature passed a bi-partisan bill, with the accent of Indian President, exempting jallikattu from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960). But Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act of 2017 is not much different from the state law overturned by Supreme Court in 2009.
Conclusion : The legal situation surrounding jallikattu is as yet not clearly resolved. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act of 2017 is not much different from the state law overturned by Supreme Court in 2009. For the Supreme Court, the question of interim stay on Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu Amendment Act is still open.

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