India's Tamil Nadu passes bill to revive bullfighting sport Jallikattu

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu Monday passed a new bill to revive controversial bullfighting sport - Jallikattu.

The bill was unanimously passed by legislators in the state's lawmaking body, thereby replacing an ordinance passed last week to resume the sport.

"Chief Minister O Panneerselvam tabled the bill Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment), Act, 2017 after which opposition leaders spoke in its support before its passage unanimously this evening," an official in Chennai said.

For become law, the bill passed by the legislators must be signed by Tamil Nadu governor and India's president.

The state witnessed massive protests seeking lifting of ban on Jallikattu. The protests turned violent on Monday morning after police tried to remove the protesters who had gathered on Marina beach in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu for the past six days.

The protesters demand an everlasting order for Jallikattu.

Policemen resorted to baton charging and used teargas to chase the protesters.

The infuriated protesters set several vehicles on fire and clashed with police at several places near a police station in Triplicane.

On Sunday two people were gored to death and dozens injured after Jallikattu resumes in the state after local and India's federal government passed an executive order regarding its resumption.

The ordinance passed last week invalidated the ban on Jallikattu by India's Supreme Court in 2014.

Animal rights activists seeking prevention of cruelty to animals cited to India's top court that bulls in the sport were "severely harmed" after which the court imposed the ban.

Last year India's federal government amended its order and 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.

However, the Supreme Court of India upheld the ban in 2016 and suspended the federal government notification of allowing Jallikattu after various bodies including Animal Welfare Board of India filed petitions to challenge it.

Following the ban no major Jallikattu events were organized.

The sport was traditionally practiced as part of the harvest festival of Pongal. Jallikattu involves men chasing bull attempting to grab its hump and ride it for as long as possible or stop it and remove piece of cloth affixed to its horns.

Over the years, many people have been gored to death during the sport. Even bulls suffer injures and sometimes get killed in such contests. Endit