Jallikattu: As protests intensify in Tamil Nadu, PETA urges lawmakers not to support bull-taming sport

New Delhi: Asserting that cruelty is inherent in the bull-taming sport of Jallikattu which cannot be regulated, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on Thursday said lawmakers should not encourage a tradition which causes unnecessary pain to an animal.

Dr. Manilal, Director Veterinary Affairs, PETA, underlined that the animal which is used in the sport is tortured, people scare it, irritants are put inside its eyes and nose and is poked with sharp equipments.

Retorting to the possibility of the central government rolling out an ordinance in support of Jallikattu, Dr. Manilal said that the Constitution of India states that any person which keeps an animal in his holding must ensure that there is no unnecessary suffering caused to the animal and that Jallikattu is all about troubling the mammal.

"Cruelty is happening with animals in this sport. Cruelty is inherent in this sport, you cannot regulate it even if you want it. From 2008 to 2014, the Supreme Court had imposed strict regulations, and during the time when the regulations were imposed as per the photographic and video evidence, it was observed that animals were treated inadequately," said Manilal.

"If you look at the sport, you will see that the animal is tortured, people scare the animal, irritants are put inside its eyes and nose, it is poked with sharp weapons, so all this happening with the animal is cruel, you cannot overrule this fact.''

''The Constitution of India states that any person which keeps an animal in his holding must ensure that there is no unnecessary suffering caused to the animal. So, when the law states that unnecessary suffering is prohibited, the lawmakers should understand that why would they promote such a tradition which is causing unnecessary pain to the animals," he added.

Echoing similar actions Jaya Simha (Member, Animal Welfare Board) said that it is unwarranted to use executive action to make way through the Supreme Court ruling against Jallikattu.

"I think people who are protesting in the Marina beach have the right to protest peacefully as the constitution allows it. Having said that the constitution also says that it is the duty of the government to ensure the order of the Supreme Court is implemented. The Supreme Court has said that Jallikattu is prohibited," said Simha.

"What we have seen is to the demand is to frustrate the order of the Supreme Court by an executive action, that was tried by Mr. Prakash Javadekar last year. And at that particular time the Supreme Court stayed that particular action. So at any given point there should not be any executive overreach to frustrate the order of the Supreme Court," she added.

As the protest over lifting of ban on bull taming sport Jallikattu intensifies, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam earlier in the day met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter`s official 7, Lok Kalyan Marg here.

Panneerselvam is expected to urge the Prime Minister to get an ordinance passed in favour of the traditional bull-taming sport.

Nearly 36 hours have passed since the protests began across Tamil Nadu against the ban on Jallikattu.

Meanwhile, a large number of people thronged Chennai`s Marina Beach in support of Jallikattu. Actor Raghava Lawrence was also seen in attendance.

The police resorted to baton-charge to disperse the protesters, who gathered at the beach since Tuesday evening.

The authorities have ordered over two dozen colleges in the city to close down as the crowd swelled at the main protest site in the capital.

The protesters, who have rejected Panneerselvam`s appeal to end the protests and refused to leave till the ban on Jallikattu is lifted, want the government and courts to listen to their demands.

With ANI inputs