The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a number of petitions challenging the Centre's decision to allow Tamil Nadu’s bull-taming festival, jallikattu, and bullock cart races to be held. The petitions were filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India and other animal rights organisations. A bench led by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur will hear the petitions on an urgent basis on Tuesday.

The AWBI petition deems jallikattu a bloodthirsty sport where animals are put in great pain and distress. The Environment Ministry on Friday had overturned a notification issued in 2011 that prohibited the exhibition or training of bulls and other animals as performing animals. The Supreme Court had upheld this order in 2014.