Kerala govt plans to bring back banned cattle races despite likely dissent from animal rights groups

Kerala government is preparing to legalise traditional cattle races, which were once highly popular but had been previously banned. A draft Amendment Bill by the Animal Husbandry Department is under consideration by the Law Department. The government aims to present the Bill in the ongoing Assembly session with Cabinet approval. If not, it will be introduced in the next session. An ordinance is also being considered as an interim measure. Following the ban on Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, traditional agrarian festivals in Kerala -such as Maramadi, Kalapoottu, Kannupoottu, Kalayottam and Kalavandiottam-came to a halt. The Kerala High Court imposed the ban under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The government had earlier attempted to revive these events through legislation. A draft ordinance was approved by the Cabinet, but since the 1960 Act is a Central law, prior approval from the President was required for its implementation. Despite ongoing correspondence with the Union Home Ministry since 2021, no response has been received.