The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Needed, rethink

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Monday, Jan 14, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Needed, rethink

All sports activities inflict some sort of pain or involve some risk. Jallikattu has not been imported; it is firmly rooted in the local culture of Tamil Nadu. It is a heroic rural event that may seem barbaric because of wrong media focus and exaggeration.

As one who has watched jallikattu, I know it is not as barbaric as it is made out to be. It is part of Pongal celebrations. It is also a tourist attraction. The Supreme Court should bear the local sentiments and the voluntary nature of participation in mind before coming to a final conclusion on the ban.

S.P. Anthonisamy,

Thanjavur

* * *

Animals suffer at the hands of human beings in many ways. They are overloaded and tortured in agricultural fields, used in transportation in inhospitable terrain and circuses, and held captive in zoos and homes. They are sacrificed in religious functions. Considering all these, the so-called ill-treatment of bulls, which are nurtured throughout the year, one day is nothing. Jallikattu has been going on for ages and involves the sentiments of the rural folk of Tamil Nadu.

K.N. Ramani,

Coimbatore

* * *

The court’s refusal to lift the stay on a 400-year-old sport is unfortunate. Only well-trained bulls and people participate in the traditional game. A ban on jallikattu will dampen the spirit of Pongal festivities. And there will be heavy loss of revenue for the locals. The court should reconsider the ban.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Vazhavallan

* * *

Many modern sports are potentially dangerous for the sportsperson and spectators. It is the responsibility of the organisers to eliminate or reduce the risks involved. Variations of jallikattu exist in other parts of the world too. A ban in India alone will not address the animal welfare issue.

Panchu Duraisamy,

Madagascar

* * *

Several sports which are entertaining in nature involve animals. The right thing to do is to ensure that the animals are not subjected to harassment and forced into a sport for which they are not trained.

A. Krishnamurthy,

Chennai

* * *

The apex court verdict does not take into consideration the views of the stakeholders, in this case the villagers, bull-owners and tamers, and the culture of southern Tamil Nadu. Many bull-owners care and spend more on their animals than they do on their families. All talk of cruelty is exaggerated.

Arul Michael Leo,

Sivaganga

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