The Indian Supreme Court recently granted permission to the state of Maharashtra to reinstate the traditional bullock cart racing event, which has been banned since 2017. This decision was informed by amendments made to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 by the state, following in the footsteps of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Understanding the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
The PCA Act was introduced with the primary objective of “preventing the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which was established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Act, is the supervisory body for this legislation. It provides for penal provisions for causing unnecessary cruelty towards animals and defines what constitutes an animal and other animal forms.
Historical Context: Sports Involving Animals
In 2014, the Supreme Court prohibited traditional sports such as ‘Jallikattu’, bull races, and bullock-cart races across the country. The prohibition was due to the dangers posed to both participants and animals, and the contravention of several provisions within the PCA Act. Despite this, the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have amended their laws allowing these traditions to continue in a regulated manner. These amendments are presently under review by the Supreme Court.
The Current Verdict
The Supreme Court stated that there was no rationale to ban the sport in Maharashtra when similar sports were taking place in other parts of the country. The court highlighted the importance of respecting local traditions, provided it doesn’t conflict with legal norms.
Bullock Cart Racing: A Cultural Practice
Bullock cart racing, particularly revered in Western Maharashtra and Pune district, is more than a traditional sporting event. This popular sport is intertwined with the rural economy, with thousands of food stall vendors relying on the races for their livelihood.
Diverse Animal Sports in India
India is home to a myriad of traditional sports involving animals. ‘Jallikattu’ or ‘eruthazhuvuthal’ is a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu during the Pongal harvest festival. ‘Kambala’ is a buffalo race typically held in paddy fields filled with mud and slush in coastal Karnataka. Cockfights, while not indigenous to India, are both a sport and a gambling game. Camel races form an intrinsic part of festivals in Rajasthan, such as the Pushkar Fair and Bikaner Camel Festival. Dog fights are considered a blood sport and, despite being illegal, are discreetly organised. Bulbul fights, where bulbuls are often fed intoxicants to make them aggressive, are organised during Bihu in Assam. Lastly, horse racing, which has been a performance sport since ancient times, was declared a game of skill rather than luck by the Supreme Court in 1996 and as such, is legal in India.