Maharashtra assembly clears legislation to legalise bullock cart racing

The Maharashtra government decided to appoint a sub-committee to study the amendment before it was placed in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday.

Mumbai: After Tamil Nadu's Jallikattu, a bull-taming game which mended the Centre to make it a Bill after a massive protest by students of the state and across the country, the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on Thursday passed the Bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 to legalise the bullock cart race in the state.

Animal Husbandry Minister Mahadev Jankar on Thursday tabled the bill in the lower house.

To ban the revoke of bullock cart racing in the state, the cabinet decided to appoint a sub-committee to study the draft on the sport.

The bill states to follow the tradition and promote culture and ensure preservation and safety o the bulls.

The state bullock cart races which are known by different names depending on the areas such as Chakadi, Bailgada sharyat or Shankar Paat are applicable in the amendments.

The traditionally followed game will be conducted with the permission of the collector of the concerned districts on conditions like no pain, no harm to any person or to the person who used to conduct the races from years. The bullock cart race will be held in the districts where this tradition and culture was followed.

The amendment also stated that any person found guilty of harming or injuring the animal can be sentenced to three years imprisonment or would have to pay Rs 5 lakh as a fine.

The Jallikattu case

On January 23, 2017, the Tamil Nadu government passed the bill legalising the bull-taming sport, Jallikattu.

The bill was passed in a matter of minutes following a unanimous vote. The bill was introduced by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at a special session of the legislative assembly in Chennai.

The bill invoked the state's power to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It effectively replaced the ordinance that was promulgated on January 21, 2017.

The bill effectively legalised the conduct of Jallikattu in the state which had been banned by an order of the Supreme Court.

What the bill states:

• Conduct of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu is legal
• Events would be recorded
• Events will take place under the supervision of district government officials.
• The bill will come into force starting January 21.
• This is being allowed to ensure survival and continuance of native breed of bulls.

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