Centre lifts ban on jallikattu: PETA to move SC against order

The animal rights group PETA on Friday criticised the Central Government's decision to permit events like 'jallikattu' and bull races in Tamil Nadu, saying it would challenge the move in the Supreme Court.

"Of course we are going to challenge it (in the court) and we will fight until the animals are given their rights again. But because of notification in the coming few days whatever deaths of humans and animals happen it is responsibility of the ministry, which has done something unconstitutional," said Dr. Chaitanya Koduri, Advisor, PETA.

"They (government) have conducted for almost six years under regulation. They couldn't avoid deaths of animals as well as humans. I am a citizen of India, I respect my culture and my culture is compassion and if you are not promoting compassion, you are not culturally true," he added.

The new rules mandate a prior permission from the District Collector, a proper track for the bulls to run and an enclosure of 15 metres for the bull to be tamed.

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan welcomed the government's decision in this regard.

"More than 2000-years-old traditional play, which was played by our Tamil youths in Tamil Nadu, was due to some reasons, was facing some crisis in the past. Our prime minister has made all the arrangements to conduct the 'jallikattu' this year. For that, I thank our honourable prime minister," Radhakrishnan said in Chennai.

Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan also welcomed the decision.

"We are really happy about it and as I said earlier for this the whole credit should go to Radhakrishnan and I really appreciate it," he said.