The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay Tamil Nadu's traditional bullfight Jallikattu for the upcoming festival of Pongal starting next month.

A bench comprising justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra did not accept the plea made by the animal welfare board that in view of the untoward incidents during the last season, the continuance of Jallikattu must be stayed.

The Tamil Nadu government opposed the board's plea saying that Jallikattu was allowed after putting in place stringent conditions, including forming a medical board.

The court said it will hear the matter on January 9.

In the past, the apex court had been critical of the bullfight in which the animals are subjected to cruelty but had allowed during the Pongal season keeping the tradition in the mind.