New Delhi (dpa) – The Indian government on Friday lifted a ban on a traditional non-lethal bull-taming sport, jallikattu, held in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, ignoring protests from animal rights activists and a Supreme Court ban.
Jallikattu is a traditional sport associated with the New Year harvest festival (popularly known as Ponggal) in the southern state of Tamil Nadu due this month. It is said to date back to the 3rd century.
The Environment Ministry issued new guidelines to allow the controversial but popular sport, with an eye on the forthcoming state elections, broadcaster NDTV reported.
“We thank our prime minister for giving permission to conduct Jallikattu,” Pon Radhakrishnan, a federal minister, told reporters.
Animal rights activists have long opposed jallikattu, pointing to injuries it causes to bulls as well as human deaths during the festival.
The Supreme Court banned jallikattu in 2014 and no events were held last year, thought to be the first time this had happened in centuries.
“It’s a pity that the Indian government used an executive order to overturn a Supreme Court direction,” animal rights activist NG Jaisimha told NDTV.
