SC Upholds State Amendments Allowing Bovine Sports – Jallikattu, Bullock Cart Race and Kambala

In an order[1] dated May 18, 2023, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court upheld the amendments[2] passed by the state legislatures of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka which sought to legitimise bovine sports, Jallikattu, Bullock Cart Race and Kambala respectively.

Earlier, the said bovine sports were banned and the state amendments were held to be contrary to the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court through its verdict dated May 7, 2014.

The court observed that the prevention of cruelty to animals was a subject which falls under the concurrent list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution and the amendment passed by the State of Tamil Nadu is “not a piece of colourable legislation”.

Expressing that the judiciary cannot conduct a detailed analysis to determine whether or not Jallikattu has become an integral part of the Tamil culture, the Apex Court agreed with the view taken by the state legislature in this regard.

Finally, the court held that the state amendments were “valid legislations” and not violative of the provisions of the Constitution.

[1] The Animal Welfare Board of India & Ors. vs. Union of India & Anr. [WP(C) 23/2016] and 14 other cases.

[2] The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act, 2017.