CHENNAI: Cockfights, which have been conducted in the State for ages, could be banned after the Madras High Court suggested that the government prohibit them.
The suggestion came after petitioner Kannan sought a court order directing the State government, Director General of Police and the Police Commissioner of Madurai to grant permission to conduct cockfights during the festival of Arulmigu Muniyandi Temple at Virattipatthu in Madurai. Justices N Kirubakaran and S Vaidyanathan dismissed the petition and suggested that the government prohibit cockfighting instead.
Declining to grant permission to conduct cockfights after the Supreme Court prohibited jallikattu, the judges observed that the court is not only the custodian of rights of citizens but also the custodian of rights of “voiceless non-humans”.
“The pleasure derived from the suffering of a poor bird is nothing but human perversion. Brutality, torture, cruelty would pave the way for children to enjoy violence. There is a possibility of youth being misled psychologically, that the suffering, brutality, pain and sorrow are normal in life and it would make them become cruel,” the court observed.
“In ancient times, people would not have much entertainment and therefore animal fights and bird fights would have provided them the necessary fun and enjoyment. Now, much water has flown under the bridge. Many comforts and entertainment have become an essential part of life,” the court stated.
The judges also stated that though Section 11 (1) (a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act prohibits subjecting animals to unnecessary pain or suffering, cockfight is not banned in India.
“Many countries like the UK, Australia, Spain, France and in almost all the states of US, cock-fight is banned. The government has to take appropriate steps to declare cock-fights illegal following the judgement of the Supreme Court banning Jallikattu,” the judges added.