Which traditional sport or practice was banned by the Supreme Court of India in 2014 on grounds related to animal welfare and cruelty?

Introduction / Context:
Questions on legal decisions and animal welfare issues often appear in current affairs and general knowledge sections. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment banning a traditional bull taming sport on grounds of cruelty to animals. This question asks you to identify that specific practice, connecting knowledge of culture, law and animal rights.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The year of the Supreme Court decision is 2014.- The ban relates to a traditional sport or practice that raises animal welfare concerns.- The options include different kinds of martial arts and traditional competitions.

Concept / Approach:
Jallikattu is a traditional bull taming event conducted mainly in parts of Tamil Nadu, especially during the Pongal festival. Concerns about cruelty to bulls and violations of animal welfare laws led to legal challenges. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India banned Jallikattu and similar events, citing cruelty to animals and reinforcing protections under animal welfare legislation. Although later political and legal developments modified the situation, this question focuses on the original 2014 ban. The other options such as Kalari Payattu, Kick boxing and Malla Yuddham are martial arts or fighting styles, not the specific bull taming sport banned that year.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that in 2014, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment prohibiting Jallikattu, a bull taming event in Tamil Nadu.2. Note that Jallikattu involves humans attempting to hold on to a running bull, and activists argued that it caused significant suffering to the animals.3. Understand that the court referred to animal welfare principles and legal provisions to justify the ban.4. Compare this with the options: Kalari Payattu is a martial art from Kerala, Kick boxing is a combat sport, and Malla Yuddham refers to wrestling traditions.5. Recognise that only Jallikattu fits the description of a traditional practice involving animals that was banned in 2014, and select it.

Verification / Alternative check:
Contemporary news reports from 2014 clearly state that the Supreme Court banned Jallikattu and similar bull related events. They describe the legal reasoning, including references to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and findings of suffering inflicted on bulls. Looking at such sources confirms that Jallikattu was the principal practice affected by the ruling, not the other activities listed in the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Kalari Payattu: a traditional martial art from Kerala involving physical combat and weapons training, not a bull taming event banned on animal cruelty grounds in 2014.- Kick boxing: a modern combat sport, regulated separately, not the focus of the 2014 Supreme Court ruling described here.- Malla Yuddham: refers to wrestling or hand to hand combat traditions, which are human sports, not bull taming practices.- Rod pushing competitions: a generic description, with no specific reference to a 2014 ban for animal cruelty by the Supreme Court.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may misremember the year of the ban or confuse Jallikattu with other bull related sports in different regions. Others may think the court banned a broader set of martial arts. To avoid such confusion, remember that the 2014 decision was specifically about bull taming and that Jallikattu is the famous name associated with Tamil Nadu. Keeping a timeline of major Supreme Court decisions related to environment and animal welfare can help reinforce these facts for examination purposes.

Final Answer:
The traditional practice banned by the Supreme Court of India in 2014 on animal welfare grounds was Jallikattu.