Summary:
New Delhi, Dec 6 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday defended in the Supreme Court the law allowing bull-taming sport "jallikattu" in the state, saying it is an "incorrect notion" that an activity, which is in the nature of a sport or entertainment, cannot have a cultural value.
"Jallikattu", also known as "eruthazhuvuthal", is a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal harvest festival.
In its written submissions filed last month in the apex court, the Tamil Nadu government has said "jallikattu" is a religious and cultural festival that bears a "religious significance" to the people of the state and does not violate the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
During the arguments on Tuesday, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice K M Joseph was told by senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, that a sporting event can also be a cultural event and there is no cruelty on the bulls in "jallikattu".
"This is an incorrect notion that an activity, which is in nature of a sport or entertainment or amusement, cannot have a cultural value," he told the bench, also comprising justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and C T Ravikumar.
Dwivedi argued that countries like Peru, Columbia and Spain consider bull fighting a part of their cultural heritage.
"Let us not forget that bulls are facing much more cruel world today.
Why I say that? Tractors have come in, harvesting machines have come in.
Transport vehicles are there.
What do these bulls do? Where do they go?" he argued.
He said bulk of the meat which is exported from India is not from the South.
"Are we pushing these bulls to save them from this small suffering and pain to the slaugher house is the question which I am posing.
Let"s not forget this and if the legislature wants to avoid that, can it be said to be manifestly arbitrary etc," Dwivedi argued.
He said bulls involved in "jallikattu" are maintained by farmers round the year.
"This cannot be overlooked at all, which is completely lost sight of.