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Jallikattu Gets Centre's Green Signal In Tamil Nadu

Centre Allows Bull-Taming Sport Jallikattu In Tamil Nadu
A participant holds back an angry bull during the traditional bull taming festival called 'Jallikattu' in Palamedu near Madurai, around 500km south of Chennai, on January 15, 2013. Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)
STRDEL via Getty Images
A participant holds back an angry bull during the traditional bull taming festival called 'Jallikattu' in Palamedu near Madurai, around 500km south of Chennai, on January 15, 2013. Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- The Centre today came out with a notification allowing controversial bull taming sport Jallikattu in poll-bound Tamil Nadu following extensive demand for its restoration by political parties in the state.

The decision to allow Jallikattu and bullock cart races in other parts of the country came despite objections by animal rights groups.

Crackers were burst and sweets distributed in southern districts of Tamil Nadu to celebrate the news as the decision comes just ahead of the Pongal festival. Jallikattu also known Eruthazhuvuthal is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.

"...The Central Government, hereby specifies that following animals shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animal, with effect from the date of publication of this notification, namely bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls. Provided that bulls may be continue to be exhibited or trained as a performing animal, at events such as Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat in the manner by customs of any community or practiced traditionally," the notification said.

However, the Centre has also put some conditions, saying bullock cart race shall be organised on a proper track, which shall not exceed two kilometres.

In case of Jallikattu, the moment the bull leaves the enclosure, it shall be tamed within a radial distance of 15 metre and it should also be ensured that the bulls are put to proper testing by authorities of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department to ensure that they are in good physical condition to participate in the event.

Performance enhancement drugs are not to administered to the bulls.

In a tweet, Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan said, "Central government has given permission for holding Jallikattu. Union Minister @PrakashJavdekar called me now to give the good news that arrangements to conduct #Jallikattu in TN has been made."

More than 2000yr old traditional play was facing crisis,thank PM for allowing Jallikattu-Pon Radhakrishnan,Union Min pic.twitter.com/RpnvpGMva1

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 8, 2016

He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the move.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.