This means that there will be no bullock cart racing in Maharashtra this Diwali.

Every year post Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, bullock cart racing in great numbers are organised but Bombay High Court’s ban in the state will not grant the permission to do so this year.

Bullock cart racing has been a popular tradition in some parts of Maharashtra and is known as Bailgada Sharyat or Shankarpat in various parts of the state. However, this year after Bombay HC’s ban, many organisers will not be able to let the speed of the carts go wild.

MAHARASHTRA GOVT AND BOMBAY HIGH COURT

The Bombay High Court in August had asked the Maharashtra government to frame rules with the amendments in Maharashtra’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which would look over and govern the bullock cart racing.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Maharashtra Amendment) Act 2017, however, states clearly that the organisers of bullock cart racing would have to be approved by the respective district collectors.

However, now that the government has amended the rules and is about to notify it, chief justice Manjulla Chellur observed, “The very act of making a bullock run would amounts to cruelty. Can an amendment to the law change this fact?”

The Chief Justice said, “If Supreme Court says that bullocks are performing animals then let them say so. As of now we are bound by SC’s observation but bullocks are not performing animals and if they are put up for races, the animals go through pain and suffering.”

Bombay High Court is also hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Pune resident Ajay Marathe seeking a direction to stop the ‘traditional sport’.