Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Tamil Nadu government to allow only native breeds of bulls to participate in Jallikattu (bull taming sport) events in the state.
A report from IANS said that the court was hearing a petition filed seeking the court’s intervention to allow only native-breed bulls to participate in Jallikattu. The court also warned veterinarians, who certify the bulls before allowing them to participate in Jallikattu, of stringent action like contempt of court and department action if they were found violating the directions by providing false certificates, the report said.
A report from The News Minute, the petitioner E Seshan sought to use native breeds of bulls like Eruduthu Viduthal, Vadamadu and Ooramadu instead of using hybrid, cross or foreign breed bulls in the Jallikattu event that is conducted in multiple districts during Pongal festival in January, every year.
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The report further said that Justice P Velmurugan directed the Tamil Nadu government to encourage farmers and bull owners to take good care of their bulls by providing necessary incentives and subsidies to them.
The court also directed the government to ensure that no artificial insemination is done on the bulls as this will deprive them of mating and it attracts the prevention of cruelty of animals act, 1960, the report added.
P Rajasekhar, president of the Jallikattu Pathukaapu Peravai (Federation of Protection of Jallikattu) welcomed the order and told IANS that about 99% of the bulls participate in Jallikattu were of native breed and it was only in rare instance, foreign or mixed breeds were used.