DMK’s Tiruchi Siva today presented a strong resolution in the Rajya Sabha for amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to exempt bulls from its provisions, recalling their special place in Tamil culture and utility in farming. He however withdrew it later on government assurances.
The private member’s resolution received wide appreciation in the House, and members agreed with Mr Siva on various tasks like ploughing and transportation performed by them.
Mr Jairam Ramesh (Congress), however, disagreed with the member, and said the DMK member’s real objective was to allow the use of bulls for the Tamil rural sport, Jallikattu. He said when the Tamil Nadu government had passed the necessary law, why should the Central Act be amended.
Mr Ramesh said the 1960 Act was passed after a private member's Bill moved by Mrs Rukmini Devi Arundale, a Nominated member, on the cruelty to animals. She was persuaded to withdraw the Bill by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who then brought a Government Bill on the subject.
Mr D Raja of CPI said the resolution was justified as the law was a Central Act which could be amended only by Parliament. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government would keep Mr Siva’s views in view when taking any future initiative on the subject.