Taking a softer line on the bull taming sport Jallikattu and bullock-cart racing in the New Year, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said that the Government will let such cultural practices continue while ensuring that animals were not subjected to cruelty.
“Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, bullock cart race in Maharashtra, Kambala in Karnataka and some sort of race using bullocks in Punjab has been traditionally and culturally practiced for centuries. We want to respect that but also ensure that there should be no cruelty.
“Therefore, we will give you good news in the next couple of days. We will give you good news so that the cultural practice can be followed as well as cruelty should not happen to animals. We have found out some ways and will announce by January 1. The Government is positive on the issue,” Javadekar told newspersons.
According to sources, the Government is likely to issue an executive order in this regard on January 1. The Environment Ministry is understood to have consulted Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi on the issue.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a US-based animal rights organisation, has been actively campaigning against the Jallikattu sport alleging the bulls used in the race were subjected to inhuman practices. The organisation and Government’s Animal Welfare Board of India had petitioned the Supreme Court on the issue.
last year, the apex court had banned use of bulls in the race as also bullock cart races across the country and directed Governments and Animal Welfare Board of India to take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
According to those campaigning against the Jalikattu, the bull in the race have their tails twisted and bitten and are stabbed, punched, jumped on and dragged to the ground.
During races, bulls are often hit with nail-studded sticks, they alleged. When quizzed about these sports, the Environment Minister said these events involving animals will be permitted to continue “for sometime”.
Meanwhile, despite the ban on Jallikattu (bull taming), bull owners have started training their pets for the fight in Sivaganga. “We require at least one month training to get the lost touch with the game”, said Pandian, who won medals participating in the game earlier.
Bulls also required training in the art of escaping from the clasp of its fighter and threatening the participants with its horn and ducking, he said.
He said the bulls were being given nutritious feed, trained in swimming, jumping and hopping.