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Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has cleared the way for this year’s Hori Habba, the traditional bull-taming festival, but made it clear that organisers must fully follow the safety and animal-welfare rules already set by the Supreme Court for similar events. Hori Habba, which is similar to Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu, is a popular rural celebration in districts such as Shivamogga, Davangere, Haveri and Uttara Kannada.
Justice M Nagaprasanna said that any permission issued by officials must “strictly conform to the conditions stipulated by the Apex Court regarding safety measures and the participation or use of animals,” and added that nothing should go against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The court also warned that any breach of these rules, or any incident involving harm to animals or participants, would lead to action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and other relevant laws.
The order came while hearing a petition from the Akhila Karnataka Raitara Janapada Kreede Horihabba Horata Samithi, which had asked the state to allow a rally involving bulls and bullock carts as part of the festival. The group said officials had told them permission would be given only if they met the conditions in a government notification issued on December 12, 2022.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the 2022 notification has not been fully brought into effect and should only guide, not control, the approval process. The state government, however, insisted that the notification continues to apply to all requests.
The High Court pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Animal Welfare Board of India vs Union of India case, noting that festivals involving animals must follow strict safeguards, and that approvals should be based on the Apex Court’s directions rather than only on the government notification. Police and district authorities in Haveri and other regions were asked to ensure that the festival is conducted smoothly and without disturbance.
