The Supreme Court has refused to give its order with regard to the conduct of Jallikattu ahead of the festival of Pongal.
Terming it an “unfair request”, the apex court declined to hear an interlocutory application seeking interim relief on lifting the ban on the traditional bull-taming sport. The court said it was not possible to deliver the verdict before Saturday, the beginning of the Pongal festival. SC says draft of judgment has been prepared but it is unfair to ask bench to pass orders.
The top court had reserved orders on the BJP government’s 2016 notification that sought to remove the bull from the performing animals list.
On Thursday, a group of lawyers asked the court to deliver its judgement as Pongal is two days away. The lawyers also mentioned that a group called the Urimai Meethu Kulu wanted to file an interlocutory application. But judges Deepak Misra and Bhanumathi refused, saying it was an unfair request.
The petition by the Animal Welfare Board against the BJP government notification last year was being heard by Justice Deepak Misra and Justice Rohington Nariman.
The Supreme Court in May 2014 banned the bull sport, Jallikattu. The court held that bulls cannot be used as performing animals either for Jallikattu or for bullock cart races anywhere in the country. Following this the central government had passed a notification exempting Jallikattu from the law, which has since been stayed by the apex court.
The apex court’s refusal comes even as protests are reaching a crescendo in Tamil Nadu, with politicians and Jallikattu enthusiasts demanding that the ban be revoked.
On Wednesday, the Union Environment Minister Anil Dave promised the Centre's support for the conduct of Jallikattu. He, however, said, “What I feel is that we should request the Supreme Court to give its judgement, then the government can take any step. The government is ready even at midnight to do all these things."