The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to pass orders on a plea for allowing Jallikattu before Pongal on January 14.
A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi said, “Though the draft judgement is ready, it is difficult to pass the verdict before Saturday, which is the festival day.”
The court also termed the plea for passing an early order by the Jallikattu Ilaignar Peravai “unfair”. Advocate Poongundran mentioned the matter before the bench.
The court clarified that the process of drafting the judgement has begun and the pronouncement would take time.
A notification, issued by the Centre on January 7 last year, had sought to circumvent the apex court ban on the bull-taming sport in 2014.
On December 5, the court had reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions, challenging the 2016 notification allowing the use of bulls in Jallikattu, contending it was in contradiction with the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The Centre, however, maintained that by way of the fresh notification, it has been ensured that bulls were neither tortured nor fed alcohol prior to the event.
The notification was issued in view of human need, the government’s counsel submitted, further noting that even milking of cows was painful.
Triggers protests across Tamil Nadu
Political parties and student bodies in Tamil Nadu intensified their protests on Thursday, following the Supreme Court’s refusal to pass an order to allow Jallikattu ahead of Pongal, reports DHNS from Chennai.
The Opposition DMK has also declared a statewide agitation on Friday, condemning the Centre’s failure to ensure the conduct of the traditional bull fight.
Before the court’s decision to defer its verdict, Naam Tamilar Katchi, a pro-Tamil outfit, conducted the sport illegally in Cuddalore by bringing in more than 10 bulls from the Dindigul region. Hours after the event, the police arrested the organisers and those who participated in it.
The state erupted in anger following the court’s remarks. Kollywood actors joined the hunger strike in Chennai. The protests have gradually spread to Chennai since Thursday.
