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VOICE YOUR VIEWS: JALLIKATTU

In Tamil Nadu, several games are supported by various organisations, associations and committees. So why not jallikattu? In jallikattu, not only the young, even the old bravely take on the challenge to dare the bull with enthusiasm. Foreign tourists specially come to watch this show.

Jallikattu is a game famous across Tamil Nadu. But unfortunately, players and sometimes viewers watching jallikattu get injured. Yet, most people in Tamil Nadu want jallikattu and so the court has allowed this game with proper precautions. Jallikattu is to be played safely.

Jallikattu is a dangerous game. It includes many anti-social activities. The animal is intoxicated. The game leads to many untimely deaths. Even though this game is supposed to prove the power of a man, it is not the right way to exhibit it. ’Jallikattu’ which destroys the life of man and animals must be banned by Government.

Every region has got its own culture and tradition and jallikattu happens to be a crude form of a traditional sport or ritual in Tamil Nadu. There is no doubt that in this sport, the bull has the disadvantage of being cornered at a time by scores of people. The bull in the Spanish version has the advantage of just tackling one alert matador. There either the bull survives or the matador depending on their alacrity. The over enthusiastic bull raisers here indulge in unfair practices by intoxicating the animal or exciting it by different means in order to face and intimidate the frenzied mob. The recent debate over jallikattu could help to create more awareness and organise this sport in a better, fairer and safer way.

Jallikattu is a bravery game to which religious and cultural sentiments of people are attached. Despite this, it involves cruelty to bulls and the participants get injured, sometimes fatally.

To prevent cruelty to bulls and the loss of participants’ lives, action should be taken against people who violate rules and conditions laid down by the Government. Care and supervision are necessary to conduct the sport smoothly.

The imposition of tight security will be helpful in avoiding untoward incidents.

Though jallikattu is considered the sport of valour, it involves risk and animal torture. If one is really interested in promoting the sport of bravery and heroism, it must be restored to its original form - fight between a single man and a bull. The shortlived apex’s court verdict against jallikattu is laudable. People in Alanganallur and subrban areas hold the view that banning jallikattu is a bad omen which portends an outbreak of epidemic and occurrence of natural calamities. It is surprising and ironical to note that people at the helm known for their progressive ideas and rationalistic approach made concerted effort to remove the ban. We have seen celebration of ‘Mattu Pongal’ as a mark of respect to bulls for the services they render. The bull-fighters can display their valour by enrolling themselves in Army and police, for the sake of welfare of society. ‘Discretion is the better part of valour.’

If a person commits suicide it is unlawful. But if he participates in jallikattu and dies, he becomes a hero. The State Government offers a solatium too. The High Court, after going through the case related to jallikattu, refused to vacate the stay.

But it is surprising that the Supreme Court, without quoting any legal point against the High Court order, revised its order overnight and that too on a holiday.

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