Jallikattu preparations in full swing in Tamil Nadu

Pashu Sandesh, 29th December 2018

As most of the North India is battling with chilling cold waves, the Tamil Nadu is in the top gear mode for preparation of Jallikattu in the State. Jallikattu the annual Bull taming fest which start around Pongal in January and continued for a month marks an important event which has taken a front seat in the polity of the region following controversies surrounding the manner in which the event is conducted. 

The Animal rights groups, PETA in particular and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) till two years back opposed the conduct of the festival in the State citing the Animal Cruelty which is inflicted upon the participating Bulls in the event. Huge controversy was created which saw both peaceful and violent demonstrations across the State demanding the conduct of the event following the ban on the event by the Madras High court in 2014. It was an opportune moment for the Political parties too to take full advantage of the volatile situation and score brownie points. Finally the event was allowed following the passage of a legislation in the State assembly which called for upholding the tradition against the decision of the court. 

AWBI last year changed its stand on the matter and supported the event. AWBI also issued guidelines before the last year’s event on how to conduct the event without harming the participating Animals. 

With all the controversies at its lowest ebb and AWBI guidelines firmly in place the Tamil Nadu administration has started the preparation for Jallikattu. On Thursday Government issued an order and earmarked three places in Madurai district for the conduct of the event. On 15th January event will take place at Awnipuram, on 16th at Pallmedu and on 17th at Allanganlur. State Government has issued the notification under the Prevention of Animal cruelty act 1960 sec 2 amended in 2017, for the safe conduct of the event.  

Lets hope that the event of Jallikattu largely remain “uneventful” and the 2000 year old tradition continue to thrive without involving any cruelty and harm to its participants that is Man And the Bull.