The environment ministry on Friday issued new guidelines, allowing the popular, but controversial bull-taming sport Jallikattu to be held Tamil Nadu, overriding protests from animal rights activists. The new norms ban the exhibition sports involving bears, lions, tigers, panthers, monkeys, but provides an exception for bulls, saying bullock cart races and Jallikattu can be held if they adhere to the new rules.

Under the new rules, permission has to be given by the district collector or magistrate and bullock cart races must be held on a proper track. Bulls, once they leave the enclosure, have to be tamed within a radial distance of 15 metres, the government order said.

"Such event shall take place in any district, where it is being traditionally held annually, at such place explicitly permitted by the district collector or the district magistrate, bullock cart race shall be organised on a proper track, which shall not exceed two kms. In case of Jallikattu, the moment the bull leaves the enclosure, it shall be tamed within a radial distance of 15 metres," the notification said.

Thousands of people erupted in joy, especially in Palamedu in Madurai and Tiruchirapalli, that host the event, as people burst crackers and broke into song and dance in public, flashing victory signs.

“Thank our PM for facilitating this to happen. I thank everyone who supported #Jallikattu,” Union minister of state for roadways Pon Radhakrishnan tweeted. BJP senior leader Pon Radhakrishnan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, said: "We have to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Javedakar, BJP national president Amit Shah. I thank chief minister J Jayalalithaa, DMK chief M Karunanidhi, who dropped his plan to hold protests, reposing faith in me, DMDK leader Vijayakanth and all leaders. It is a victory for the joint effort. "

“He said even though the central government decision could be politically motivated, in view of forthcoming assembly elections, the centre must be thanked for allowing Jallikattu,” the VCK leader Thirumavalanan said.

“The government now should ensure that all safety precautions be observed and cruelty to animals prevented, and that the sport is held every year as per customs and traditions,” he said.

By Premji