Union minister and animal activist Maneka Gandhi criticised actor Kamal Haasan for supporting the bull sport Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. Said Maneka to THE WEEK, "Film actors are not experts on law. The cultural and legal arguments regarding Jallikattu have been heard by the honourable Supreme Court from all petitioners, respondents, intervenors and other stakeholders over many many hearings. Detailed orders have been passed. The order should be read, understood and abided by."
At a media event in Chennai, some days ago, Haasan said there was no similarity between the bull fight sport in Spain and Jallikattu. He said bulls were treated like gods in Tamil Nadu.
Maneka said that the rule of law must exist at all cost. "Customs that are retrograde and cause unnecessary cruelty to humans and animals must be avoided. There is no justification for so many poor people and animals getting injured and dying every year during events such as Jallikattu," said Maneka.
People for Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) said that it will oppose Jallikattu tooth and nail.
The Supreme Court, on January 12, had turned down a plea seeking its intervention to pass judgement on Jallikattu before Pongal on January 14. The ruling caused an uproar in Tamil Nadu with massive protests across the state. Defying the ban, Jallikattu was held in a village in Madurai district in southern Tamil Nadu on January 13.
