NewKerala.com

Key Points

Kerala police have registered a case against 20 people for organizing an illegal bull race in Thiruvananthapuram's Pallikkal area. The action followed a complaint from PETA India after videos confirmed the event occurred despite prior warnings. Organizers used 19 pairs of bulls in the race, subjecting them to cruel practices to force them to run faster. This marks another instance of illegal bull racing in Kerala despite clear Supreme Court and High Court bans on such events.

Key Points: Kerala Police Book 20 for Illegal Bull Race in Thiruvananthapuram

  • PETA India complaint led to FIR against 20 individuals for illegal bull race
  • Organisers warned in advance but proceeded with event despite police notice
  • Bulls subjected to overexertion and abuse including tail twisting and whipping
  • Case registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
2 min read

20 booked for illegal bull race in Thiruvananthapuram

20 people booked for illegal maramadi bull race in Pallikkal after PETA India complaint. Police warn organisers before event but race proceeds, violating animal cruelty laws.

"“The Supreme Court and the Kerala High Court have already made it clear that bull races are illegal and inherently cruel” - PETA India Emergency Response Coordinator Divya Chavan"

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 3

A total of 20 people have been booked for organising and participating in an illegal bull race, locally known as "maramadi", in the Pallikkal area of Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Rural district, police said on Wednesday.

The action followed a complaint lodged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.

The case was registered at Pallikkal police station under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 120(l) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, and Sections 3 and 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

The FIR accuses 20 individuals of unlawfully conducting a race using 19 pairs of bulls, overexerting them, and subjecting them to abuse.

According to police, the organisers had been warned in advance not to go ahead with the event after posters promoting the race surfaced on WhatsApp groups.

However, videos later confirmed that the race was held despite the warning.

“The Supreme Court and the Kerala High Court have already made it clear that bull races are illegal and inherently cruel,” said PETA India Emergency Response Coordinator Divya Chavan.

“We commend the Thiruvananthapuram rural police for promptly registering the FIR and sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.”

Animal welfare groups point out that bulls used in such races are often forced to run through cruel practices, including yanking their nose ropes, whipping them, twisting their tails, and even breaking tailbones to make them run faster.

This is not the first such case in Kerala.

On September 8, 2024, Alathur police in Palakkad registered a suo motu FIR against organisers of another bullock cart race following a complaint by PETA India.

Earlier, in May 2022, a Palakkad court convicted several accused for conducting a similar illegal race in Malampuzha in 2021.

The Kerala High Court, in a 2015 order, reaffirmed that it is bound by the 2014 Supreme Court judgment upholding the Centre’s ban on bull races, noting that bulls are not anatomically suited to such events.

Police said further investigation is underway.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand animal cruelty concerns, these are traditional practices that have been part of our culture for generations. Instead of complete ban, maybe regulate properly with veterinary supervision?
S
Suresh O
They were warned in advance and still went ahead! Shows complete disregard for law. Kerala police should take strict action so others don't repeat this. No one is above the law.
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Meera T
Breaking tailbones to make them run faster? 😢 This is pure torture. How can anyone enjoy watching animals suffer like this? Thank you PETA for taking action.
A
Aman W
Supreme Court has already given clear orders. Why do people keep organizing these events? Fines and legal action should be severe enough to deter others.
Kavya N
Hope the investigation leads to proper punishment. Animal cruelty cannot be justified as "tradition". We need to evolve as a society and treat animals with compassion. 🐂

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