The suspense over the issue of revoking the ban on jallikattu continues, even as the Pongal festival is approaching.
As
on date, there is no official word from the Central government on the
issue. But, sources in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has
told The Hindu that the Union Ministry is exploring the possibility of
issuing a notification to remove bulls from the list of performing
animals for exhibition and training.
Since July 2011,
bulls form part of the list, which has been drawn up as per Section 22
of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
In May
last year, the Supreme Court imposed ban on jallikattu and other such
events. On Monday, a group of senior officials of the Tamil Nadu
government, led by S. Vijayakumar, Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries
Secretary, met top officers of the MoEF in New Delhi with a request to
have the deletion carried out.
MoEF sources said that
since the Supreme Court had banned jallikattu, allowing it would invite
contempt of court. So, on receiving representations from the State
government, the Ministry was considering exempting bulls from this list
so that it does not attract contempt of court. It will also ensure that
no cruelty is perpetrated on the animals, the sources add.
However,
the Animal Welfare Board of India, in a press release issued in Chennai
on Tuesday, stated that “the ban on Jallikattu, bullock cart races,
cock fights/animal fights is still in force and any violation of such a
ban will amount to a serious contempt of court. The law enforcement
agencies are requested to ensure that the judgment of the Supreme Court
is implemented strictly and in compliance with the directions given by
the Supreme Court.”
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