SC stay on Jallikattu is 'partial victory' for bulls: PETA

The animal rights group said that the stay will spare animal from cruelties and also save people from being hurt

Animal rights group, PETA India today termed as "partial victory" for bulls the Supreme's Court stay on the Centre's notification lifting ban on Jallikattu and said it will continue its fight to protect the animal.

PETA India also said the stay, which comes as a birthday gift to the animal right's body on its 16th anniversary, will also spare the animal from cruelties and save countless people from being hurt or killed at such events this year.

"The Supreme Court's stay, which comes as a birthday gift for PETA on our 16th anniversary, is a partial victory for sensitive bulls who will be spared cruelties such as being deliberately disoriented by being given substances like alcohol and having their tails painfully broken joint by joint and bitten for Jallikattu or races.

"The Court's move will also spare countless people from being hurt or killed at such events this year. PETA will continue its fight to protect bulls from abuse until the Supreme Court confirms once again that spectacles such as Jallikatu and bull races have no place in civilised society," said PETA India Chief Executive Officer Poorva Joshipura.

The Supreme Court today stayed the January 7 notification, issued by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), lifting ban on controversial bull taming sport Jallikattu during the festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

The Centre's notification lifting ban on Jallikattu was challenged in the apex court yesterday by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), PETA India and a Bangalore-based NGO.

Noting that the stay meant that events such as Jallikattu and bull races cannot currently be held, the animal rights body said to celebrate, the PETA office will hand out vegan sweets and will be sending garlands to the 'Animal Rahat' sanctuary for rescued bulls.

In 2014, the Supreme Court had ruled that cruelty is inherent in these events, as bulls are not anatomically suited for such activities and making them participate subjects them to unnecessary pain and suffering, so such events were outlawed.

PETA India said the court also stated that when culture and tradition are at variance with the law enacted by Parliament, the law would take precedence.

When Jallikattu was permitted in the past under regulations, hundreds of human participants were injured each year and many were killed, it said.

Between 2010 and 2014, approximately 1,100 injuries to humans were reported by the media as a result of cruel and dangerous Jallikattu-type events and 17 people, including a child, died.