New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 12 suspended the Centre’s notification lifting the ban on Jallikattu- the traditional bull-fighting sport of Tamil Nadu.

Last week, the Centre circumvented the SC ruling of May 2014 and lifted the ban on the sport, following this, the Animal Welfare Board, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals and 11 other organisations challenged the Centre’s notification, citing cruelty to animals.

Animal rights organisations say that animals are assaulted, intoxicated and subjected to other forms of cruelty ranging from squeezing lime juice into eyes of the animal to rubbing chilli powder on the genitals of the bulls to make them ferocious.

The bench headed by Justice Dipak Mishra heard the case after Justice R Banumathi recused herself from hearing the case this morning. She was part of the earlier three judge bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur.

The sport is popular in at least four districts of southern Tamil Nadu and is part of the four-day Pongal festival, held in mid-January. Pongal celebrations kick off on January 15 this year.

The Centre had said the traditional sport should be continued but with restrictions that stop cruelty to the animals. However, many perceived this to be a political move.

The festival was not held last year as the UPA had banned the sport.

After the Centre’s announcement last week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.