Supreme Court To Examine Listing Pleas For Review Of Its 2023 'Jallikattu' Verdict (image: twitter.com/poornasangeetha)

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine listing pleas attempting review of its 2023 judgment on bull-taming sport, “Jallikattu”. The apex court, in its verdict in May of the previous year, upheld the constitutional validity of the state amendments made to allow the animal sport in the state.

A three-bench consisting Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed the the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi that the review appeals needed to be listed and considered.

“I will see the email today (on listing of pleas),” the CJI said. Generally, the review petitions are examined in chambers by way of circulation by the apex court judges.

As mentioned, in May last year, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph, since retired, unanimously declared the amendments acts of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka for the conduct of “Jallikattu”, bullock-cart races and buffalo racing sport “Kambala” in respective states valid.

Calling these laws as “valid legislations”, the bench then had noted that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2017 and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act, 2017 were approved by the respective state legislatures and had received presidential consent.

At first, “Jallikattu” was banned by Madras High Court in Tamil Nadu in 2006, and then banned by the top court in 2014 on grounds of animal cruelty. In 2017, the government in Tamil Nadu temporarily lifted the ban when the state witnessed huge protest backing the sport. Thus, through 2017 amendment state legalised the practice again.

The Animal rights groups, led by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) challenged amendment in the Supreme court, and referred it as illegal and unconstitutional. In a written submission, Tamil Nadu government told the top court that “Jallikattu” is “not merely an act of entertainment or amusement but an event with great historic, cultural and religious value”, The News Minute reports.

“Jallikattu”, also known “eruthazhuvuthal”, one of the oldest sports is held in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal harvest festival.

(With inputs from PTI)