Jallikattu a State event; private individuals cannot organise it: Madras High Court

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently held that private individuals or self-styled village committees cannot claim an independent right to organise Jallikattu event at Avaniyapuram since the festival is an internationally acclaimed one organised directly by the State [P Murugan Vs District Collector].

A Division Bench of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan said that as per the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, the festival is organised by revenue officials of the State with the assistance of villagers who form part of a advisory committee.

“As per the 2009 Act for Regulating Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Animal Welfare Department vide communication dated 21.11.2025, Jallikattu at Avaniyapuram is organized by the Revenue Officials of the State with the assistance of villagers, who form part of the Advisory Committee," the Court noted.

Hence, it refused to pass any directions on a plea by one P Murugan who sought a direction to the authorities to grant permission and police protection to conduct the Jallikattu proposed to be held on January 15.

Jallikattu is an ancient sport traditionally conducted during the Pongal harvest festival, particularly in the districts of Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Theni and Sivagangai.

The event involves participants attempting to hold onto a bull’s hump for a specified distance or time. Villages such as Avaniyapuram, Alanganallur and Palamedu are internationally known for hosting the sport.

Supporters regard Jallikattu as integral to Tamil culture and agrarian identity, closely linked to the preservation of native cattle breeds. Opponents have raised concerns regarding animal cruelty and public safety.

Petitioner P Murugan, who claimed to be the President of the Avaniyapuram Village Jallikattu Committee, moved the Court contending that the advisory committee should include collective representation from all communities in the village.

Addressing this concern, the Additional Advocate General assured the Court that the advisory committee will be constituted as per the practice in previous years and also considering the guidelines issued by the High Court in a batch of writ petitions in 2020.

Recording the above submissions, the Bench disposed of the writ petition without granting any relief.

The Bench further accepted the State’s submission on the special status of the event.

"Considering the international importance of the Jallikattu conducted at Avaniyapuram, Alanganallur and Palamedu, the State itself is directly organizing the events,” the Court said.

On this basis, the Court held that the petitioner cannot have any independent request to grant permission for his committee to conduct Jallikattu at Avaniyapuram Village.

Jallikattu at Avaniyapuram would continue to be organised by the State in accordance with the statutory framework, the Court made it clear.

The petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate Meenakshi Sundaram with advocate M Sangeetha

State was represented by Additional Advocate General Veera Kathiravan assisted by Special Government Pleader SP Maharajan.

Other respondents were represented by Government Advocate (Criminal Side) K Gnanasekaran.

[Read Judgment]