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Animal rights activists in India have been campaigning against jallikattu, the traditional bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu, for the past many years. Now, activists abroad are also supporting the campaign. On January 25, members of People For Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) staged protests outside the Indian Embassy in London, holding placards which read “Save India’s Reputation: End Jallikattu”, in Tamil, Hindi and English. The protesters called on the Indian government to enforce the national ban on the use of bulls as performing animals.
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Passing interim orders on a batch of public interest petitions filed both in favour as well as against the event, including that of the AWBI, a division bench of the Court directed that the events should be conducted strictly in compliance with a series of interim orders passed by the Supreme Court on the sport between January 2008 and March 2011, the safeguards provided under the Tamil Nadu legislation. “In all fairness, the state should see that the safety and security of bull tamers, spectators and bulls are protected. The festival is not only for us but also for the four-legged creatures. Take care and make it an enjoyable event. Ensure that everything goes well,” the court observed.
The case is going to be taken up again on January 30.
PETA has planned more protests outside Indian diplomatic mission in other countries. PETA’s protest in London came a day after Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN), a leading Irish group, announced plans to launch a Europe-wide campaign for a tourist boycott of India to protest against jallikettu.