The ban imposed by the Supreme Court on Jallikattu or bullfights in Tamil Nadu and bullock-cart racing in Maharashtra, Punjab and other states is a big step towards protecting animals from human cruelty. Declaring that the rights of bulls against cruelty were inviolable, the court gave a general direction to the governments and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) “to take appropriate steps to see that the persons-in-charge or care of animals take reasonable measures to ensure the well-being of animals”. This should caution all pet owners, dairy farm owners and animal keepers. The AWBI and state governments should not only ensure its compliance, but also see to it that provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals are enforced in letter and spirit.
As the AWBI has pointed out, domesticated animals were once regarded as virtually family members. Bullocks worked in the fields alongside the peasants and the calves were not deprived of their mothers’ milk. But, in today’s crueller times, the calves are pulled away from the udders as soon as the milk starts to flow so that the humans can drink it. Such pitiless measures known as “phooka” or blowing air into the udders to empty them are taken that Mahatma Gandhi gave up drinking cow’s milk.
There is no respite for the cattle even when they have lived past their useful lives—useful for humans—because they are made to walk hundreds of miles to the slaughter house. Monkeys and bears are made to dance on the streets to entertain passers-by. Although steps are being taken to ban such practices, the relevant law is enforced mainly in metropolitan towns while the police or those who are supposed to enforce the Prevention of Cruelty Act are known for their apathy in mofussil towns and villages. The judiciary’s intervention should bring about a change for the better.