Ms Ingrid Newkirk, founder-director of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was arrested by the Coimbatore police on Wednesday for blindfolding a statue of Mahatma Gandhi to show her protest against the Supreme Court judgement which allows jallikattu to be held, albeit under strict supervision.

Ms Newkirk (58), who is from Virginia, US, happened to be in Coimbatore when she heard the news about the apex court allowing the sport, and saw “horrific” television images of past events.

Along with PETA coordinator N G Jayasimha, Ms Newkirk went to the Gandhi Park, blindfolded the statue there and put up a billboard which read “Reject cruel sport jallikattu”.

The local police arrested the two along with the watchman of the park and registered a case under various sections of the IPC for provoking breach of the peace, insulting religious beliefs and disfigurement of statues. The three were later let out on bail by a local magistrate.

Ms Newkirk, who has since flown to Mumbai, told Deccan Herald over the phone that she meant no disrespect to Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, she blindfolded his statue out of respect for the Mahatma because she did not want him to see the cruelty the animals were being subjected to.

She said: “In the name of taming the bull, ten, twenty, fifty people torment the animal and thousands cheer. You can see fear and confusion in the eyes of the animal as it tries to flee.”

She did not buy the argument that farmers would be the last to torment cattle as they are means of their livelihood. “I know about agricultural bulls and those used to pull heavy carts which are given very little fodder and water,” she said.

In the US, bull fight is banned though rodeo, in which cowboys ride bulls, is allowed in some states, but the campaign is on against it, she said, adding that fox hunting is illegal in England. Even in Spain bullfighting is, “banned in many towns like Barcelona. In other towns sports channels are barred from showing it”, the activist said.