What is Jallikattu: Seizing the bull by its horns

In January 2016, the Central Government lifted the Jallikattu ban on request of Tamil Nadu Government. This notification was challenged by PETA and other animal welfare organisations in the Supreme Court. PETA insists that ‘cruelty’ is not limited to slaughter, but includes unnecessary suffering and torture induced on animals for the purpose of human entertainment. PETA advocates that it is the fundamental duty of citizens of India to have compassion for all living creatures and to protect wildlife.

What is Jallikattu?

It is a bull-taming event practiced in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal, third day of the Pongal celebrations. It is derived from the terms jalli, which means coins and kattu, which means tied. Silver or gold coins, tied to the bull’s horns, are the prize for whoever tames the bull. Participants attempt to grab the large hump of the bull with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape.

An ancient game

Jallikattu is an ancient sport depicted in the seal of the Indus Valley civilization, which means it can be traced back 5000 years. Ancient Tamil poetry, known as Sangam literature (2 BC - 2 AD) details the sport of Eru Thazhuvuthal, which implies embracing the bull or Manju Virattu, meaning chasing the bull. It was common among the Aayars, who lived in the Mullai geographical division of the ancient Tamil country.

Saving the native breed

India housed 130 cattle breeds 100 years ago but now it houses only 37 breeds. Tamil Nadu houses five breeds, which are Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Barugur, and Malai Maadu. The festival serves as a way of saving quality breeds of bulls, which are on the verge of extinction. The Kangayam bulls are preserved mainly through the tradition of Jallikattu, which provides an incentive for the villagers to rear these exceptionally strong bulls. The stud cows that win are much in demand for servicing the cows. Small farmers cannot afford to keep stud bulls, so each village has a common temple bull that services the cows of the village. Jallikattu is the show where bulls are brought and exhibited. Farmers prefer the bulls, which are most agile and virile. The calves from such bulls are in demand. Banning the sport would not only lead to loss of breeds but also self-sufficiency in milk production as well as promotion of organic farming.

Banning Jallikattu

Animal welfare organizations, the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO) and PETA India have protested against the practice since 2004 citing the practice to be inherently cruel towards bulls whose tails are bitten and twisted, also stabbed and punched. On January 8, 2016, the Government of India passed an order exempting Jallikattu from all performances where bulls cannot be used, and thereby reversing the ban. In December, the court had reserved its judgment on petitions that challenged the Central Government’s notification in January 2016 allowing bulls to be used in Jallikattu. Due to an interim order on January 13, 2016, which stayed the Centre’s notification, the Supreme Court’s original order of 2014 banning Jallikattu was still in force.

Protests

The recent protests began in Madurai, Sivaganga, and Pattukottai, where Jallikattu events were reported despite the ban. The arrest of 200 protesting youths in Alanganallur village proved to be the instigator. At Marina beach, the protest started with 50 people and reached 6,000 by midnight. Students, playback singers, filmmakers, bank employees and many others had gathered to protest. 
The sport is considered the pride of Tamil culture. Most Tamil protestors feel it infringes on the cultural identity as the sport brings together people of all religions. They have rejected the idea that it harms the bulls and have taken on PETA’s allegations.