Jallikattu row: NHRC notice to Tamil Nadu authorities over alleged police excesses on protesters

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of media reports over the police excesses on those who were protesting in support of Jallikattu and issued notices to Tamil Nadu authorities.

Earlier this month, protests were being held in Tamil Nadu and the protesters demanded that the bull taming sport be allowed to take place across the state. Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014. 

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill, 2017 allowing Jallikattu was passed by the Tamil Nadu Government in the State Assembly on Monday.

After the passage of the Bill, the police, while evicting protesters from Marina Beach in Chennai, allegedly beat them up and arrested them.

ALSO READ | Anti-social elements crept into pro-Jallikattu protests in Chennai: Police

According to media reports, the police apparently “damaged private property in order to disperse a large number of people gathered at landmark places in Chennai”, the NHRC said in a statement.

The NHRC observed that the media reports indicated “unprovoked police action” that amounts to a violation of human rights. The NHRC also said that the protesters has not exceeded their fundamental right.

“The visuals on television news channels showed that police set on fire the huts, autos, motorcycles, vegetable shops on the streets and other properties on internal streets in Chennai,” the NHRC said.

ALSO READ | Jallikattu row: Kamal Haasan shocked over police action on pro-bullfight protesters

The commission said that the reports showed “bleeding students” running for their lives, while police personnel beating the protesters.

Taking “a serious view of the unprovoked police excesses”, the NHRC issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police as well as the Chennai Police Commissioner, and has asked for reports in two weeks.