India Supreme Court stays Jallikattu bull fighting festival in Tamil Nadu
Xinhua, January 12, 2016 Adjust font size:
India's Supreme Court Tuesday suspended the federal government's recent notification of allowing Jallikattu - the traditional version of bull fighting sport in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, officials said.
"The Supreme Court today stayed the Centre's notification allowing bull-taming sport Jallikattu during the festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu," an official said.
"The apex court issued notice to the Centre and Tamil Nadu government on petitions filed by various bodies, including Animal Welfare Board of India."
The case came for hearing in the court Tuesday.
Last week Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a notification saying bulls may continue to be exhibited or trained as a performing animal, at events such as Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu subject to conditions and proper supervision.
The government order evoked strong condemnation from animal rights bodies.
The Jallikattu festival involves men chasing bulls has been popular for centuries in Tamil Nadu.
In 2014, however, India's Supreme Court banned the festival after animal rights activists seeking prevention of cruelty to animals, citing bulls in the sport "severely harmed."
Local media reports said lifting of ban to the sport has much to do with the local elections in Tamil Nadu due this year. Endit