Conducting traditional events is permissible under specific conditions ensuring animal welfare and adherence to legal guidelines.

ORDER :

1. This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records to the impugned proceedings in O.MU.No.4302539/2026/C1 dated 05.03.2026 passed by the first respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to grant permission and protection for conducting the double bullock cart race to be held on 14.03.2026 at Uranganpatti Village Road to Mathagupatti Road, Madurai District between 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. in connection with the “Masi Festival” in Shri Manthai Karuppanasamy Kovil, Situated at Uranganpatti Village, Uranganpatti Post, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is one of the member of the Administrative Committee of Shri Manthai Karuppanasamy Kovil, Situated at Uranganpatti Village, Uranganpatti Post where Maasi Kodai festival is ongoing. In this regard, the petitioner had well before given a representation as early as on 21.02.2026 seeking permission to conduct a bullock cart race in the Masi Kodai festival. However, the impugned order dated 05.03.2026, came to be passed by the first respondent, rejecting the petitioner's requisition. Challenging the same 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 Masi 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 there is no infirmity in the order because the conduct of Rekla 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 is being conducted by the petitioners in the said temple namely Shri Manthai Karuppanasamy Kovil at Uranganpatti Village, following the mandates. Considering the fact that the petitioner is ready to abide by any condition for the purpose of conducting the Rekla 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 complete