India needs to ban Jallikattu, an outdated blood-sport
If Catalonia can ban the age-old bullfighting then why India can't do the same with Jallikattu, a traditional sport popular in Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu, believed to be over 4000-year-old, is a bull-taming sport played as a part of Pongal celebration.
ON JULY 28, Catalonia become Spain’s first mainland region to ban the centuries-old bullfighting. The Parliament of Catalonia voted against the traditional sport following a petition signed by thousands of people who say the practice is barbaric, outdated and cruelty to animals.
During a bullfight, the bull is stabbed for about 15 to 20 minutes with deadly weapons like spears, spikes and daggers. Often, the weapons pierce the lung, instead of heart, resulting in slow and painful death of the animal.
The step was historic and shows the political will of the parliamentarians of Catalonia. The message is loud and clear, people can’t inflict pain and suffering on a frightened and confused animal all in the name of preserving cultural heritage.
Now the question is if Catalonia can ban bullfighting, why India can’t do the same with “Jallikattu”, a traditional sport popular in the state of Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu, believed to be over 4000-year-old, is a bull-taming sport played as a part of Pongal celebration. The sport attracts large number of crowds, locals as well as foreign tourists. The term Jallikattu comes from the term Salli kassu (coins) and Kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. Jallikattu involves letting loose agitated bulls into large crowds of spectators with the objective to tame the bull without using any weapons. Sometimes, more than one bull is let loose at the same time. Jallikattu in other words is display of masculine strength.
However, animal rights activists are opposed to the traditional sport as they say that it is cruel and want it to be banned. Animal Welfare Board of India points out that Jallikattu constitutes cruelty to animals as hundreds of people chase the bulls and try to jump over them, the bulls are abused by rubbing chilli powder in their eyes, forced to drink alcohol to drive them into a frenzy and their testicles are pinched to make them more aggressive.
Clearly, apart from issue of animal cruelty, public safety issues are involved. According to media reports, more than 200 persons have died and hundreds others were injured over the last two decades. In 2004, at least five persons died during Jallikattu celebration in different villages of Tamil Nadu.
In 2006, the legality of the sport was questioned following the death of a youth, who was killed by an enraged bull that landed amidst the spectators. The deceased’s father filed a petition with the Madras High Court. The court banned Jallikattu in March 2006. The ban was appealed by the state government of Tamil Nadu and several associations promoting the game. Subsequently, the Madras High Court permitted the game to be conducted with some riders in January 2007. Later, the Animal Welfare Board of India filed a special leave petition (SLP) to ban the game on the ground of animal cruelty. In July 2007, the Supreme Court restored the original order of the Madras High Court banning jallikattu.
However, the legal battle continued to rage on. The state government of Tamil Nadu and pro-jallikattu organisers filed a petition to vacate the Supreme Court stay order which was dismissed by the apex court in January 2008. The ban continued. But, the state government again filed a review petition for modification and reconsideration of the order. The apex court subsequently modified its order banning the game and permitted jallikattu on certain conditions.
The apex court lays down 12 conditions to be strictly followed. The apex court granted permission to hold the event after the state government of Tamil Nadu had said there were elaborate guidelines to prevent cruelty against animals and to ensure elaborate security arrangements. Subsequently, the state government enacted the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009 to regulate jallikattu.
The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, among others, provides that no permission shall be granted to any person to conduct the event, unless the collector satisfies himself that the event is conducted during the months of January to May and the place selected is suitable for orderly conduct of the event. Every person, who organises the event shall take all precautionary steps for the orderly conduct of the event; double barricade the arena or the way through which the bulls pass through in order to avoid injuries to spectators and bystanders who might be permitted to remain within the barricades; the collector shall ensure that the bulls are free of any diseases and not intoxicated or administered with substance like nicotine, cocaine with the object of making them more aggressive or ferocious; two lakhs rupees as deposit fee on organisers of the event; and videography of the whole event.
However, the Jallikattu Act failed to achieve its purpose and the Supreme Court order continues to be flouted. There have been reports of jallikattu organised without the permission of the District Collectors. Further, the number of deaths during the bull taming event had not shown any significant fall. There were reports of deaths and injuries from various place of Tamil Nadu this year.
On July 9, 2010, the Supreme Court asked state government of Tamil Nadu and Animal Welfare Board of India to explore stringent measures to deter people from patronising jallikattu which has virtually become an industry in the state. The Supreme Court while disapproving the rules framed by the state government of Tamil Nadu suggested imposition of high deposit fee of Rs 20 lakh instead of existing fee of Rs 2 lakh. The court also asked the state government to restrict the event to just two months. The Supreme Court observed, “Think of the danger to human beings. They (bulls) run amuck after being fed with liquor. If you don’t feed them liquor, they will be docile and people will not have the interest. So, they feed them with liquor. This (sports) must be restricted to two months”.
Now, the state government has to respond within a month to the court's suggestions and observations.
Jallikattu is madness in the name of religion, custom and tradition. Although, custom holds strong significance as far as religious activity is concerned but it should be kept in mind that no religion or belief permit us to harm anybody whether animal or human being. The kind of pleasure people derive from such a barbaric practice that subject animals to cruelty is hard to comprehend.
Although, Rs 20 lakhs will discourage the organisers, but the game will still be held clandestinely. The need of the hour is a complete ban on this barbaric and outdated game.
Now the question is if Catalonia can ban bullfighting, why India can’t do the same with “Jallikattu”, a traditional sport popular in the state of Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu, believed to be over 4000-year-old, is a bull-taming sport played as a part of Pongal celebration. The sport attracts large number of crowds, locals as well as foreign tourists. The term Jallikattu comes from the term Salli kassu (coins) and Kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. Jallikattu involves letting loose agitated bulls into large crowds of spectators with the objective to tame the bull without using any weapons. Sometimes, more than one bull is let loose at the same time. Jallikattu in other words is display of masculine strength.
However, animal rights activists are opposed to the traditional sport as they say that it is cruel and want it to be banned. Animal Welfare Board of India points out that Jallikattu constitutes cruelty to animals as hundreds of people chase the bulls and try to jump over them, the bulls are abused by rubbing chilli powder in their eyes, forced to drink alcohol to drive them into a frenzy and their testicles are pinched to make them more aggressive.
Clearly, apart from issue of animal cruelty, public safety issues are involved. According to media reports, more than 200 persons have died and hundreds others were injured over the last two decades. In 2004, at least five persons died during Jallikattu celebration in different villages of Tamil Nadu.
In 2006, the legality of the sport was questioned following the death of a youth, who was killed by an enraged bull that landed amidst the spectators. The deceased’s father filed a petition with the Madras High Court. The court banned Jallikattu in March 2006. The ban was appealed by the state government of Tamil Nadu and several associations promoting the game. Subsequently, the Madras High Court permitted the game to be conducted with some riders in January 2007. Later, the Animal Welfare Board of India filed a special leave petition (SLP) to ban the game on the ground of animal cruelty. In July 2007, the Supreme Court restored the original order of the Madras High Court banning jallikattu.
However, the legal battle continued to rage on. The state government of Tamil Nadu and pro-jallikattu organisers filed a petition to vacate the Supreme Court stay order which was dismissed by the apex court in January 2008. The ban continued. But, the state government again filed a review petition for modification and reconsideration of the order. The apex court subsequently modified its order banning the game and permitted jallikattu on certain conditions.
The apex court lays down 12 conditions to be strictly followed. The apex court granted permission to hold the event after the state government of Tamil Nadu had said there were elaborate guidelines to prevent cruelty against animals and to ensure elaborate security arrangements. Subsequently, the state government enacted the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009 to regulate jallikattu.
The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, among others, provides that no permission shall be granted to any person to conduct the event, unless the collector satisfies himself that the event is conducted during the months of January to May and the place selected is suitable for orderly conduct of the event. Every person, who organises the event shall take all precautionary steps for the orderly conduct of the event; double barricade the arena or the way through which the bulls pass through in order to avoid injuries to spectators and bystanders who might be permitted to remain within the barricades; the collector shall ensure that the bulls are free of any diseases and not intoxicated or administered with substance like nicotine, cocaine with the object of making them more aggressive or ferocious; two lakhs rupees as deposit fee on organisers of the event; and videography of the whole event.
However, the Jallikattu Act failed to achieve its purpose and the Supreme Court order continues to be flouted. There have been reports of jallikattu organised without the permission of the District Collectors. Further, the number of deaths during the bull taming event had not shown any significant fall. There were reports of deaths and injuries from various place of Tamil Nadu this year.
On July 9, 2010, the Supreme Court asked state government of Tamil Nadu and Animal Welfare Board of India to explore stringent measures to deter people from patronising jallikattu which has virtually become an industry in the state. The Supreme Court while disapproving the rules framed by the state government of Tamil Nadu suggested imposition of high deposit fee of Rs 20 lakh instead of existing fee of Rs 2 lakh. The court also asked the state government to restrict the event to just two months. The Supreme Court observed, “Think of the danger to human beings. They (bulls) run amuck after being fed with liquor. If you don’t feed them liquor, they will be docile and people will not have the interest. So, they feed them with liquor. This (sports) must be restricted to two months”.
Now, the state government has to respond within a month to the court's suggestions and observations.
Jallikattu is madness in the name of religion, custom and tradition. Although, custom holds strong significance as far as religious activity is concerned but it should be kept in mind that no religion or belief permit us to harm anybody whether animal or human being. The kind of pleasure people derive from such a barbaric practice that subject animals to cruelty is hard to comprehend.
Although, Rs 20 lakhs will discourage the organisers, but the game will still be held clandestinely. The need of the hour is a complete ban on this barbaric and outdated game.
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