Tension simmers in the southern districts as district collectors deny permission to jallikattu, citing the latest Supreme Court ruling issued early this year. Political leaders have started issuing statements insisting that the state and Central government intervene and allow bull fights this Pongal. The organisers of jallikattu in Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur have petitioned the district administration, seeking permission to organise bull taming, but revenue authorities remain tight lipped over the applications and may turn down the plea from the organisers.
Jallikattu is a traditional sport practiced in the state and is a form of bull-baiting or bull cuddling/holding and is similar to the “running of the bulls” in Spain. The bull is released into a corridor, and individuals attempt to hang on to the bull for a specific duration or distance and win the prize.
The sport was banned in May 2014 for cruelty towards animals, though the bulls are not killed or physically injured during the sport. The ban has downsides as well, with many bulls being sent to the slaughterhouse because owners are no longer able to maintain them.
GK Vasan a former central government minister from the state and the head of the Tamil Maanila Congress political party asked the governments to reconsider the ban. “The center and the state governments should take steps to conduct jallikattu this year itself in a way that doesn’t injure the bulls much and also ensure safety of the participants and audience after getting permission from the Supreme Court,” he said. “It has been the desire of the people of Tamil Nadu to continue the traditional jallikattu,” he added.
Jallikattu is intimately tied to the festival of Pongal, which is celebrated in the state between January 14 and 17 every year. Since Pongal is essentially a harvest festival, several rituals and celebrations revolve around farm animals such as cows and bulls.
Owners of the bulls are going ahead with training for their charges, hoping the ban will be revoked. “The time has come for us to train the bulls. They need heavy nutritious meals along with exercise,” says N Muthusamy, whose bull has won several prizes over the past five years. “I have been maintaining four bulls for the past 12 years. They are really well-built and strong. I am looking forward to the event this year,” he added.
P. Rajasekaran, state president, Federation for jallikattu organizers said, “Villagers in the southern districts are deeply hurt as the authorities are delaying the permission order this year. We have been following the guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court and the animal welfare board of India. Jallikattu is associated with our culture and traditional sport and hence government should look into the issue and allow conducting jallikattu in a peaceful manner. We have also expressed our demands to the chief minister in this regard and will abide by the court regulations but there is need for an immediate ordinance permitting jallikattu,” he said.
