Summary
Jallikattu is a sort of bull-taming event in India in which many participant deaths occur and bulls must endure various kinds of abuse and neglect. In 2014, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose of the India Supreme Court heard a case brought forth by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) against the father of a deceased participant. The appellant claimed that, even if the Jallikattu followed the Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Regulation (TNJ) Act of 2009—which outlines various provisions Jallikattu events must follow, it would still violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960 because Jallikattu involves causing the bull pain. The respondent claimed that the event has historical significance and that the event could be regulated under the TNJ Act. The judges ruled in favor of the AWBI, directing parliament to elevate the rights of animals and the AWBI and Governments were directed to take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on the animals due to the protection of their rights in the PCA Act.