Bombay High Court Refuses To Entertain PIL Against Bullock Cart Racing In Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) objecting to the bullock cart racing in Maharashtra on the ground that before the race, the animals are subjected to cruelty.

A division bench of Justices Alok Aradhe and Sandeep Marne noted that the issue has already been decided by the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court by a judgment pronounced on May 18, 2023, wherein the apex court upheld laws allowing bullock cart racing in Maharashtra, Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and Kambala in Karnataka.  

"The Supreme Court has finalised all the issues related to the bullock cart racing in the State. Nothing can be done now and no further directions are needed," the judges said while refusing to entertain the plea. 

On the insistence of the petitioner to afford him a hearing, the Chief Justice asked him to visit the villages in Maharashtra, where such racing is held, and create awareness against cruelty to animals. 

"Go, create a team, create awareness in various villages across Maharashtra... That will be your true contribution... Why seek publicity by filing a PIL?" CJ Aradhe remarked, orally.

Further, the petitioner tried to convince the judges by highlighting the fact that people, winning such races, get Bolero cars and other commercialised prizes. "People are getting Bolero Cars, money and other prizes but for this they are injuring the animals by subjecting them to cruelty," the counsel submitted. 

However, unimpressed by the contention, CJ Aradhe said, "Please don't give public speeches here this is not the correct platform... SC has already concluded the issues. No further directions needed."

The bench, therefore, dismissed the PIL.