JALLIKATTU CONTROVERSY: – Part I
What is Jallikattu?
It is a Harvest festival, known as Eruthazhuvuthal or Manju virattu, Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport organised in Tamil Nadu during Mattu Pongal. The Tamil word ‘mattu’ means bull Bull Taming is conducted on the second and third day of Pongal.
How it named Jallikattu?
The term ‘jallikattu’, comes from Tamil terms ‘salli kaasu‘ (coins) and ‘kattu‘ (a package), referring to the tying of prize money to the horns of a bull. Later, in the colonial period, the name was changed to ‘jallikattu.’
History —
200 BC–Jallikattu has been practised for thousands of years in Tamil Nadu and finds mention in Sangam literature, which dates back to as early as 200 BC.
During the rule of the Nayak kings—–
An arena – usually the biggest open space in the village – would be designated for the sport to be played.
A makeshift entrance, or Vaadi Vaasal, would then be marked out for both competing bulls, which were decorated and garlanded, and for their owners, who would stand in line with them.
Gold coins, wrapped in a piece of cloth, were tied to the horns and the bulls were then released, one by one, onto the field.
Earlier, a small bag of coins which is known as ‘jalli’ or ‘salli’ used to be tied to the horns of the bull. The participants tried to retrieve the bag. Now it’s not just a bag of coins. These days many people bet big money on the bulls.
Excited by the gestures of those who trying to catch him, the bullock would then lower his head and charge wildly into the midst of the crowd, who would nimbly run off on either side to make way for him.
Willing young men would then grapple with the bull in an attempt to untie the knot and get at the prize — they either successfully managed to hang on for dear life, or were simply tossed around like rag dolls, bouncing off the bulls’ muscular body. Winners were greatly admired as the sport required quick reflexes and a fleet foot to tame the recalcitrant bull, which would try to get away, shake off the fighter and, at times, stamp or wound fallen participants.
Traditionally, Jallikattu was played to judge a man’s virility(the quality of having strength, energy; manliness); it was seen as a way to win a woman’s hand in marriage. The men who held on to the bulls, usually reared by the object of their affections, were declared winners.
A sport that is as fearsome as it is addictive, Jallikattu has become a rallying point for Tamil identity over the years.
Why Jallikattu matters?
Bulls get more importance over cows for bulls help farmers to plough their field, pull their cart loaded with goods, and inseminate cows, in turn resulting in production of milk, offspring and preserving indigenous species.
Jallikattu is the show where bulls are brought and exhibited. The ones which are most agile (and virile) are preferred by farmers. The calves from such bulls are in demand.
The ones 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 which services the cows of the village.
The intricate connect between these events and farming can be seen from the chronological order in which showcase events like jallikattu happen first, then the shandies and then the main farming season starts.
Once harvest is done, farmers take their bulls to participate in such events over the next few months; spectators and visitors make a note of the top bulls and seek them out insandhais (cattle shandies/markets) which happen from December till April all over Tamil Nadu.
The calves and bulls are bought for jallikattu and some of their offspring will be castrated and used as draught animals in transport/farming.
Many people who care for animals don’t understand that nature creates each species with unique characteristics and behaviour, and that within a species, a bull, an ox, a cow and calf all are different.
The demand of female calves is more for mating. If it’s a male calf then it will be sold to slaughter house for Rs. 500 and it is been mixed with mutton usually public eat. This has been done since years hence this issue became a controversy now.
So as a fall out of the banning of jallikattu, they will soon fade away and become extinct.
Controversy Till Now—
2004–— Jallikattu was first challenged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) in 2004.
2010—–The Supreme Court banned Jallikattu acknowledging that it is inherently cruel “as bulls are not anatomically suited to such activities, and that forcing them to participate subjects them to unnecessary pain and suffering”. under controlled conditions and in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act passed in 2009
2011—- The Environment Ministry added bulls to its 1991 notification banning the training and exhibition of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and dogs.
2014—
April 2014—Emphasising on the historic and religious significance of the event, Centre allows use of bull in Jallikattu, by amending the list of animals prohibited from being trained for performances.
May 7, 2014— Supreme Court passed a landmark judgement in favour of PETA & the Animal Welfare Board of India clarifying that bulls must not be used in Jallikattu
2016—-
Jan 7, 2016—Centre revokes ban on Jallikattu through a notification that mentions that this exemption is subject to the condition that bulls are treated properly and not subject to cruelty.
Jan 11, 2016—PETA challenged Centre’s notification bull taming sport in Supreme Court.
Jan 12, 2016—Supreme Court stays Centre’s notification allowing Jallikattu & issues notice to the Environment Ministry on petitions filed by various bodies.
Nov 9, 2016—Questioning the Centre for its notification on allowing the use of bulls in events like Jallikattu, the SC said India cannot “import roman gladiator type sport”
Nov 16, 2016—- Supreme Court dismissed the Tamil Nadu’s plea to life the ban on Jallikattu in the state, saying it finds no ground to allow the state for the sport.
Dec 1, 2016— Supreme Court questioned the Centre for its 2016 notification allowing use of bulls in events like Jallikattu.
Jan 9, 2017— O Paneerselvam requested PM Modi to pass an ordinance to allow Jallikattu during the pongal festival this year.
Jan 11, 2017—AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala wrote a letter to PM Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of Jallikattu
Jan 12, 2017— Supreme Court put on hold its verdict on allowing the bull taming sport by Jan 14, 2017.
OnJanuary 12, 2017, the bench declined to issue an interim order to allow Jallikattu just before Pongal even as the final judgment was ready with the court. SC remarked Though the draft of the judgment is ready, it’s not possible to pass the verdict before Saturday when it is to be held. We also want to say that it is unfair of the petitioner to ask the bench to pass an order.
~Article by RUCHI.
Thank you Ruchi for sharing such vital information.