Detailed Analysis of Jallikattu Issue and Notes

 Jallikattu or sallikattu also known as ERUTHAZHUVUTHAL and MANJUVIRATTU is a traditional Bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations usually on Mattu Pongal day (3 days). This is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era.
what is jallikattu in country like india

In Jallikattu, the bull is not killed and the ‘matadors’ are not supposed to use any weapons. It is held in the villages of Tamilnadu as a part of a village festival. The festivals are held from Jan to July, every year. It is first played in Palamedu, a village located near Madurai on 15th June which was getting famous in recent years followed by the world famous ‘Alanganallur-Jallikattu’ in’ Alanganallur’, another village near Madurai on Jan16. There is the specific breed of cattle bred for this purpose which is called by two common names, Jellicut and from the place of a big breeder Pulikulam.

History of Jallikattu

             Jallikattu, which is bull baiting or bull fighting, is an ancient Tamilian tradition called ERUTHAZHUVUTHAL, popular amongst warriors during the Tamil classical period. According to Legend, in olden days the game was used by women to choose their husbands. Successful Matadors’ were chosen as grooms.

The term Jallikattu comes from the term Sallikaasu(coins) and kattu(meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. Later days during the colonial period this term got changed to Jallikattu which is the term currently used. In early, it was a aayar (Yadavar) game but now all castes participate in the event.

What is the Jallikattu Bull Taming Event?

 Group of people enter this arena and have to try and tame the bull with bare hands.The participants try to do this by holding bulls tail (or) horns. Bull is specially prepared for this event by various farmers. The bulls are often taken for swims to strengthen its legs and various measures are taken to make the build strong and healthy.

Controversy around Jallikattu
 The event has been supported and promoted by the majority of the people including the state government, the center as well as famous actors like Kamal Hassan. However, PETA India raised concerns that the sport was causing injuries to the animals and was inhuman PETA has been protesting against the sport since 2004 and finally, the Supreme Court of India passed a verdict banning the thousand-year-old tradition in 2014, classifying sport as animal cruelty.
 But at last Tamil Nadu governor Ch. Vidya Sagar Rao got the sanction for the conduct of Jallikattu from the president as envisaged under Article 213 of the constitution.
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