Chennai, January 4: Though the Supreme Court banned the traditional bull-taming sport – Jallikattu – locals from Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Trichy and Perambalur brought 500 bulls in Ariyalur district of Tamilnadu and organised the event without any permission on Wednesday. In the first Jallikattu of 2019, ten people were severely injured, after which it was stopped midway, and a case was filed in this regard.

As per the reports, close to 300 bull-tamers registered themselves and participated in the Jallikattu event. The organisers even gifted gold coins, cycles and cots to the winners, while the injured people were taken to the nearby hospital from treatment. Jallikattu to Face Legal Hurdle Again? Supreme Court's Constitution Bench to Hear Clutch of Petitions Seeking Ban.

Legal Battle:

Earlier, the apex court in its May 7, 2014, order had banned Jallikattu after a 10-year-long battle. The decision was made after animal activists, and welfare organisations like Federation of India Animal Protection Agencies (FIAPO) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed petitions to ban the sport.

However, the Government of India passed an order reversing the ban, and the Supreme Court upheld the ban on January 14, 2016. But, the court stated that flouting the ban would attract penalties.

With the decision, lakhs of people protested at Tamil Nadu's Marina Beach against the ban on January 2017, which resulted in the state government passing an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. President approved the amendment and Jallikattu events were permitted again. But PETA challenged the amendment, and the Supreme Court said a constitutional bench would decide whether Jallikattu is a cultural right.

About Jallikattu:

Jallikattu is a traditional sport – as old as 2,500 years – conducted as part of Mattu Pongal, the third day of the four-day-long harvest festival Pongal. People bring temple bulls from different villages to a common arena where Jallikattu happens. Temple bulls from different villages are brought to a common arena where Jallikattu happens.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2019 10:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).