In Brief
This judgment concerns a petition seeking to vacate a stay order against Jallikattu (a bull-running sport) imposed in an earlier Supreme Court decision. Applicants argued Jallikattu is a cultural tradition and socio-religious festival involving no cruelty. The Court declined to vacate the stay, holding that bulls are draught animals anatomically unsuited for running, causing them pain and stress in violation of animal cruelty laws. The Court reaffirmed that the Constitution's fundamental duty of compassion toward all living creatures and statutory provisions preventing unnecessary animal suffering cannot be overridden by cultural significance or regulatory arrangements. The Court committed to further hearings on the matter.
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