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This story is from May 20, 2023

Supreme Court allows Jallikattu, Kambala and bull cart racing: Fans, celebs, organisers welc­ome the move; animal activists call it setback

Supreme Court allows Jallikattu, Kambala and bull cart racing: Fans, celebs, organisers welc­ome the move; animal activists call it setback
The Supreme Court, on Thursday, upheld amendments made by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), allowing the traditional bull-taming sports of Kambala, Jallikattu and bullock-cart racing. Fans of the sport, several ministers and Karnataka’s Kambala associations called it a ‘victory of the farmers’, while several animal protection organisations sought to challenge the verdict.
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“Kambala is part of our culture, it’s what we have seen while growing up,” said Eshwar Shetty, from the Kambala association.
There are more humane ways of celebrating culture: Animal activists
We are extremely saddened by the verdict. It puts us back by more than 15 years - time from when the matter started. This is not a fight against culture or traditions, it’s about moving ahead with times. There are more humane ways of celebrating culture and tradition
Alokparna Sengupta, managing director of Humane Society International/India
A timeline of judgements:
  • 2006 – The Madras High Court bans the sport following the death of a spectator.
  • 2014 – Supreme Court banned Jallikattu and struck down the 2009 Act which lifted the ban
  • 2016 – The NDS government’s environment ministry revoked the ban. Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and PETA challenged this
  • 2017 – Major protests took place in Tamil Nadu opposing the ban
  • 2023 – The five-member constitution bench delivered a unanimous verdict on Jallikattu, allowing the sport to continue

I have two native bulls at home and I take care of them like my kids. More supervision is needed to ensure no laws are violated, but these bulls are dear to the families in the villages. I am glad the ban has been lifted and the sport has a legitimate sanction now. This is a victory for all those want to protect our cultural identity.

— Suriya, actor and film producer

Kambala is a culture which brings people from all walks together and spreads harmony. I hail this verdict as I personally know how the buffalos are treated and kept. They are treated more like family members and not like animals.

— Aravind KP, TV personality, racer
Jallikattu_smol

----With inputs from M Suganth
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