A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday held that the notification issued by the Centre prohibiting the use of bulls as performing animals was applicable to Kaalapoottu, Kannupoottu, and Maramadi competitions being held in the State.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A.M. Shaffique while dismissing an appeal observed it was not in dispute that bulls could not be used in such events in view of the Centre government notification.
There was clear prohibition on the use of bulls as performing animals.
The appeal was filed by Cattle Race Club of India, Palakkad, and Kerala Hereditary Agriculturalist Association, Malappuram, against a single judge‘s verdict rejecting their writ challenging a ban imposed by the district administration on Kalapootu, Kannuppootu, and Maramadi competitions.
The petitioners pointed out that while Kaalapoottu and Kannupoottu were being held in the northern parts of the state, and the Maramadi competition in the southern parts of State.
The petitioners also argued that Kaalapoottu, Kannupoottu, and Maramadi, were different from Jallikattu' or Bullock cart race which had been prohibited as per the decision of the Supreme Court.
According to them, the notification of the Central Government and the verdict of the Apex Court did not place any hurdle in conducting Kannupoottu, Kalapoottu, and Maramadi competitions.
The government took the stand that the events proposed by the petitioners were also akin to that of “Jellikettu” or bullock cart race.
Harmful injuries
Therefore, the events would clearly violate the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Events would cause harmful injuries to participating animals.
Usually, a small knife was connected to the whip with which the animals were being beaten up during the competitions.
The Bench said that it did not see any ground to interfere with the judgment of the single judge.
