Temple bullock cart races permitted with strict animal welfare conditions despite not being scheduled under PCA amendment.

ORDER :

1. This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and to provide adequate police protection to conduct the "Bullock Cart Race" and "Horse Race" to be held on 30.04.2026, at about 06.00 a.m., to 10.00 a.m., at Ariyakulam - Melakulam Road via to Seevalaperi Main Road by considering the petitioner's representation dated 23.03.2026.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is one of the member of the Arulmigu Sangili Madasamy Thirukovil Kodaivizha. In this regard, the petitioner had well before given a representation as early as on 23.03.2026 seeking permission to conduct a Bullock Cart race and Horse Race on 30.04.2026, at about 06.00 a.m., to 10.00 a.m., at Ariyakulam - Melakulam Road via to Seevalaperi Main Road in the Kodaivizha. Since the same was not considered, seeking indulgence of this Court, the present writ petition is filed.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that already this Court had permitted various temple committees to conduct Rekla Race in Kodai festival and he relied upon the order passed by this Court in WP(MD)No.13355 of 2023 dated 08.06.2023, WP(MD)No.5360 of 2024 dated 08.03.2024 and the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in WP(MD)No.21022 of 2024 dated 03.09.2024 and the order of this Court made in WP(MD)No.2187 of 2025 dated 06.03.2025. He further pointed out that the impugned proceeding is passed only on the ground that the game of Rekla race is not included in the schedule of Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, (Tamil Nadu Amendment Act 2017), along with Jallikattu, Manjuviratu, Erudhu vidum vizha, and Vadamadu, and sought for the indulgence of this Court.

4. The learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) submitted that the conduct of Rekla race and Horse race would amount to causing cruelty to the animals, more particularly in the in Rekla race, the animals would be subjected to cruelty. He also drew the attention of this Court to the circular of the office of the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry And Veterinary Sciences in ROC No.1509 / TNAWB/ 2020 where the events of Rekla race and Cock fight are specifically excluded based on the mandates of the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, (Tamil Nadu Amendment Act 2017).

5. Heard either sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. However, it is seen that for the past several years, this Rekla Race and Horse Race is being conducted by the petitioner in the said temple namely Shri Arulmigu Sangili Madasamy Thirukovil Kodaivizha, Ariyakulam, Palayamkottai, following the mandates. Considering the fact that the petitioner is ready to abide by any condition for the purpose of conducting the Rekla race and Horse Race, this Court, following the directions passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court, in WP(MD)No.21022 of 2024, in which I am also a part, the impugned proceedings in O.MU.No.4302539/2026/C1 dated 05.03.2026 passed by the first respondent, is hereby quashed and the first respondent is directed to permit the petitioner to conduct Rekla race subject to the following conditions:

"2. The following conditions may be imposed in conducting Bullock cart race at Seruppalakadu Village, Sethupavachatram Peravurani Taluk, Thanjavur District.

i) Organizers should obtain no objection for conducting events from the following departments. NOC to be obtained from the Animal Welfare Board, Highways Authorities, Revenue departments, and Health department.

ii) Bulls cart race should be conducted in the daytime only and the entire event should be completed maximum before 3 hrs time.

iii) The timing and number of Bulls cart should be decided by t