Don't lift ban on Jallikattu, Attorney General advises Centre

Chennai: Even though Union Minister Prakash Javedkar had this week announced that the Centre is considering to bring back the traditional bull-taming sport Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, a top official has advised the minister against lifting the ban.

According to sources, Attorney General, whose opinion was sought by the government on the issue, said, "Allowing such activities would be a violation of Supreme Court's May 2014 judgment, which said that bulls cannot be used as performing animals, either for Jallikattu events or bullock cart races in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country."

His opinion comes when BJP-led central government is about to pave the way for the return of the traditional sport in Tamil Nadu.

Prakash Javedkar recently indicted that the Centre is likely to lift the ban on Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu for a limited period of time. Jallikattu, a bull-taming sport is held during the Pongal festival (January 14-17) in Tamil Nadu.