The Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday moved an amendment in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 making bullock carts races legal in the state.
Animal Husbandry Minister Mahadev Jankar tabled the Bill in the Lower House.
Bullock cart races were banned in 2011 after bulls were categorised as performing animals under the Act.
Shiv Sena MP from Pune Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil and Peasants and Workers Party legislator Jayant Patil have been campaigning to lift the ban.
Patil had raised the issue in Parliament seeking intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore cart races in the state.
However, animal rights activists have been raising objections to the move, saying it amounts to subjecting bulls to cruelty and torture.