Protest to lift ban on Jallikattu intensifies

As the Pongal festival is nearing, protest against the ban on Jallikattu (taming the bull) intensifies across southern Tamil Nadu with thousands of members of Jallikattu Peravai (union) staging a protest demonstration with the support of various political parties on Wednesday.

The protesters urged the state and the Central government to appeal against the apex court’s ban on the traditional sport.

The annual event of Jallikattu is held from January to July, played first in world-famous Palamedu, near Madurai on January 15, followed by Alanganallur event on January 16.
A specific breed of cattle is bred for the purpose.

The jallikattu bulls are not used in agricultural operations. They are mostly kept as a family tradition or as a status symbol by their owners.

The protesters said that Jallikattu was being held for thousands of years and were ready to continue their fast for two weeks for the cause of the sport.

The head of Jallikattu Peravai Rajasekaran said that Tamil Nadu government should immediately prevail upon the NDA government at the Centre to take measures for appealing against the ban.

“Just one week is left for the festival. Many villagers have already started their preparation by training the bulls, thinking that the ban will be lifted soon”, he said.

Stating that the traditional sport is being held annually in more than 150 villages in southern districts of the State, he said the festival will not be complete without Jallikattu.
He also said that the government should bear in mind that over 60,000 bulls should not end up in slaughter houses in Kerala.