Chennai: A petition against jallikattu, the traditional bull-fighting sport, will be heard by the Supreme Court today.
Last week, the Centre had lifted the ban on Jallikattu that had been imposed by the top court ruling in May 2014 and 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 the animals are assaulted, intoxicated and subjected to other forms of cruelty to make them ferocious.

The Tamil Nadu government has filed a caveat requiring it to be heard before any orders.

Critics say the motive to lift the ban is political – the traditional sport is highly popular in parts of Tamil Nadu and is conducted during the four-day Pongal festival, held in mid-January.

The festival was not held last year after it was banned by the erstwhile UPA government when the DMK was part of the alliance. This time, the DMK had demanded that the ban on the festival be lifted.

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