Supreme Court clears bull taming sports

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld validity of amendments the Tamil Nadu government made in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and permitted bull-taming sports like Jallikattu, Kambala and bullock-cart races.

A Constitution Bench comprising Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar held that amendments have been introduced to reduce pain and suffering of bovines and to allow the sport to continue.

There is no flaw in the state action. "It is a bovine sport and participation will be allowed as per rules....incidental impact may fall upon certain types of bulls affecting agricultural activity but it is referable, in pith and substance, to Entry 17, List III of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India."


Upholding the amendments introduced by the TN government, SC held that all three amendments were "valid legislations". The bench directed that all laws ought to be "strictly implemented" and "competent authorities shall be responsible for strict implementation of the amended law."