Centre likely to revoke ban on Jallikattu, announcement to be made by Jan 1

Environment Minister Prakash Javedkar announced that the Centre will give “good news” in the next couple of days regarding the bull sport ‘Jallikattu’. The government will make final announcement on lifting the ban on the bull sport Jallikattu on January 1.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said “We will give you good news so that the cultural practice can be followed without cruelty to animals. We have found out some ways and will announce by January 1. The government is positive on the issue.”

He added, “Jallkattu in Tamil Nadu, bullock cart race in Maharashtra, Kambala in Karnataka and bullock cart races in Punjab have been traditionally and culturally practiced for centuries. We want to respect them, but also ensure that there is not cruelty,” according to TNIE.

After the Jallikattu sport was banned in 2014 by the Supreme Court, various political parties including AIADMK and DMK have been asking the centre to remove the ban on the sport.

In a press conference, BJP President Tamilisai Soundarajan said that the bull taming sport will be conducted for Pongal festivities and appreciated the Modi government for their efforts. “I spoke to Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javedkar and he assured me that decks will be cleared for the conduct of Jallikattu within a next few days, she said.”