The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted the resumption of bull races in Maharashtra, after a four-year pause, at par with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, whose amendments are pending before a Constitution Bench of the top court since 2018.
In 2014, the apex court had banned Jallikattu -- bull races and bullock-cart races across the country -- holding that these practices violated provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had subsequently amended the Act to allow regulated bull races and Jallikattu.
These amendments are pending before a Constitution Bench of the top court since 2018 and their validity is to be determined. The moot question is whether bull-taming sport falls under cultural rights or perpetuates cruelty to animals.
The bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar was hearing a petition filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the 2018 Bombay High Court order which had stayed bullock-cart races in the state.
The BJP-led government in 2017 had passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960). There were provisions to ensure there is no injury to the participating animals. Organisers violating the rules will face up to three years of imprisonment or have to pay up to Rs 5 lakh as a fine.
The legislation was sent to the Union Home Minister and to the President of India in August 2017 for consent. After the government had received the consent, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) approached the Bombay High Court challenging the law. The high court upheld the petitioner’s plea and stayed the implementation of the Act. Subsequently, bullock cart race lovers filed a petition challenging the high court order in the apex court. However, SC ruled that all petitions in this regard will be heard by a Constitution Bench.
