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Dismissing a petition that sought permission to conduct a rooster fight event in Madurai district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court observed that the statute expressly prohibits an animal fight event organised by human beings. The court was hearing a petition filed by M. Muventhan of Madurai district. The petitioner sought grant of permission to conduct a rooster fight event at Karaikeni in Peraiyur taluk in Madurai district. Justice G. R. Swaminathan observed that Section 11(1)(m)(ii) and (n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, penalises any person who solely with a view to provide entertainment incites any animal to fight any other animal or who organises, keeps, uses or acts in the management of any place for animal fighting. The court also took note of a circular memorandum issued by the Director General of Police holding that rooster fights should not be allowed, which was based on the directions of the High Court. The judge observed that in the name of culture, certain events such as Jallikattu have been permitted. Article 29 of the Constitution was invoked for that purpose. Even though rooster fights can be said to be prevalent, I am afraid that cultural status cannot be conferred on rooster fights in Tamil Nadu. The petitioner may have a case, if Tamil Nadu enacts a law akin to the 2017 amendment made in the wake of Jallikattu agitation, the court observed. The petitioner has no legal right. The statute expressly prohibits an animal fight event, the court observed and dismissed the petition.
