People in SC unaware of cultural significance of Jallikattu: BJP

SC had sought an explanation from Centre on amendments and agreement for conducting Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday appeared to suggest to the Supreme Court that it needed to be aware of the cultural significance of the festival of Jallikattu, and not question the Centre's decision to go ahead with the bull taming festival.

"Worship of bull has been mentioned in Mahabharata period. We worship bulls. Since the bovine is used for agriculture, hence the Jallikattu is like a thanks giving ceremony for them. People sitting in the Supreme Court don't know what Jallikattu is, but are making statements which are completely irrelevant," BJP leader H Raja said.

Raja also blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for "intentionally including the bull in the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2000 list under the influence of American Christian NGOs".

"The BJP is for the smooth conduct of Jallikattu. The UPA government has intentionally included bull in the performing animals list under the influence of American Christian NGOs. They want to destroy Indian traditions," he said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought an explanation from the Centre on its amendments and agreement for conducting Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.

The Centre's notification allowing Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu this year has been challenged by the Animal Welfare Association.

An apex court Bench comprising Amitava Roy and Dipak Misra asked the Centre to explain the conditions under which they allow the festival to be celebrated.

"How can you nullify the SC judgement which sets aside the performance of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and all over India because the 2011 notification of the SC prohibits the animals, including bull, being used as performance bulls," GS Mani, a lawyer said.

Additional Solicitor General PS Narsimhan represented the government during the hearing of the case.

The apex court had in its earlier judgement discouraged conducting Jallikattu while stating that the sport can be played only if it does not hurt the bulls or inflict any sort of pain upon them.

The matter will be next heard on December 7.