The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday refused to permit a proposed cockfight event in Peraiyur Taluk, observing that such fights cannot be granted cultural legitimacy under Indian law. The single-judge bench of Justice G.R. Swaminathan dismissed the plea filed by petitioner M. Muventhan, who sought permission to conduct a cockfight “without knives” on October 26 in Kaaraikeni village, Madurai district.
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Background
Muventhan had approached the court after the District Collector of Madurai rejected his request to organize the traditional cockfight. He argued that the event was intended merely for entertainment and would not involve any cruelty such as tying knives to the roosters’ legs.
Citing previous orders from 2024 and 2025 in similar petitions where limited permission had been granted for “non-violent” cockfights, Muventhan’s counsel argued that the same principle should apply to this event too.
However, the State opposed the plea. The Government Advocate pointed to a circular issued by the Director General of Police on August 28, 2025, which explicitly prohibited cockfighting across Tamil Nadu. That circular, he said, was based on earlier directions of the High Court itself.
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Court’s Observations
Justice Swaminathan said he was “not persuaded” by the petitioner’s arguments, emphasizing that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 clearly prohibits animal fights organized for entertainment.
“The law,” the judge noted, “penalizes anyone who incites any animal to fight another for amusement. The term ‘animal’ includes birds, as rightly interpreted by a Division Bench in S. Kannan vs. Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.”
The bench observed that earlier single-judge orders allowing cockfights cannot override the Division Bench’s interpretation. “When there are conflicting views, I must follow the decision that is based on principle and aligns with the statute,” the judge remarked.
Addressing reports that the Supreme Court had once allowed “traditional” cockfights without knives, Justice Swaminathan clarified that such discretion lies only with the apex court under Article 142 of the Constitution, not with High Courts.
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He further commented that while Tamil culture has celebrated traditional animal events like Jallikattu-later protected by a specific State law-cockfights cannot claim the same cultural shield. “Even though the film Aadukalam portrayed this sport vividly, I am afraid that cultural status cannot be conferred on cockfight in Tamil Nadu,” he said candidly.
Decision
Holding that Muventhan had “no legal right” to organize such an event, the court dismissed the writ petition. “A writ of mandamus can be issued only to enforce a legal right or duty. The statute expressly prohibits animal fights,” the order concluded.
The petition was dismissed without costs, bringing a decisive close to the latest in a series of legal attempts to revive the rural cockfighting tradition in Tamil Nadu.
Case: M. Muventhan vs. The District Collector, Madurai District & Others
Case Number: W.P. (MD) No. 27950 of 2025
Petitioner’s Request: Permission to conduct a cockfight (without knives) at Kaaraikeni village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District, on 26 October 2025.
Respondents:
- District Collector, Madurai
- Tahsildar, Peraiyur Taluk
- Inspector of Police, T. Kallupatti Police Station (suo motu impleaded)
Date of Judgment: 09 October 2025
