Chennai, Jan 12 (IANS) Jallikattu, Tamil Nadu’s traditional bull taming sport held as part of the Pongal festival, can be organised subject to certain safety conditions, the Madras High Court ruled Thursday.

Hearing a batch of petitions - for and against the sport, the Madurai Bench of the high court in an interim order permitted the holding of the event Jan 15, 16 and 17 on the condition that a report and video recording of the event would be submitted before it Jan 20.

The bench comprising Justice Chitra Venkataraman and Justice R. Karuppiah ordered the government to ensure safety of people and the bulls. The case would be heard next Jan 23.

According to the court, the government should submit a report on the safety measures taken like putting up of barricades and arranging medical facilities at the sporting site.

The central government and the Animal Welfare Board of India were against the sport demanding its ban. The Tamil Nadu government wanted the event to be held claiming that stopping it would result in law and order problem.

A section of people also believe that not holding the event would earn the wrath of the Gods, resulting in drought and other natural calamities in the area.