What is really story of jallikattu existence in ancient India?

What is Jallikattu?

- Jallikattu is an ancient bull taming blood sport played in Tamil Nadu. It's a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day

- According to experts, the term Jallikattu is derived from the term jalli kaasu (coins) and kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money

- One of the oldest blood sport, Jalllikattu is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival

- 'Jellicut' are the bulls bred specifically for the Jallikattu sporting event

Why is it so controversial?

- It is controversial because the blood sport often results in major injuries and deaths

- Reportedly, from 2010 to 2014, there were approximately 1,100 injuries and 17 deaths as a result of Jallikattu events

- Over 200 people have died from the blood sport over the past two decades.

- The court held that use of bulls in such events severely harmed the animals and constituted an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animals Act.

- PETA India has protested against the blood sport over the years for animal cruelty

What did the SC say about Jallikattu?

- The apex court imposed the on Tamil Nadu’s traditional bull-taming sport after a clutch of petitions by animal rights groups challenged the Centre’s notification allowing it.

- A bench led by Justice Dipak Misra issued notices to Centre and all state governments on issues raised by the organisations relating to use of animals for sports and other performances and sought replies within four weeks

- The bench said that in view of contentions raised, there has to be an interim order staying ‘Jallikattu’ till the points of law are decided by the apex court

Who all filed the pleas?

The pleas have been moved by the Animal Welfare Board of India, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Compassion Unlimited plus Action (CUPA), People For Animal and various other animal right groups.

Apart from applications to stay the Centre’s notification of January 7, contempt petitions have also been filed, contending allowing Jallikattu is a violation of the apex court’s order in 2014.

What does the SC's 2014 judgement say?

By a judgement in May 2014, the top court had prohibited the use of bulls in ‘Jallikattu’ festivals, holding this practice to be an offence under the law. The court held that use of bulls in such events severely harmed the animals and constituted an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animals Act.

Why and Who are banning Jallikattu?

Jallikattu is a traditional sport practiced in Tamilnadu not only as a practice but its main intention is preserve the native bulls of the region from extinction. The milk we get from cows can be classified into A1 and A2. The human produce A2 which good for the humans. The native breed cows of the region produce type A2. But the milk production by cows in large scale are done by cows which produce milk of type A1 which is not suitable for human. These cows are milked using machines and the cows which give this type are not native bred but imported. The connection between Jallikattu and the milk is, if Jallikattu was banned the need for preserving native bulls will be decreased, proportionally the native bred cows cannot be obtained without the bulls for breeding. With no other option the farmers have to opt for other breeds which produce more milk. Those breeds can produce 2-3 times more milk than the native breeds. But the problem is those breed are not suitable for this climatic conditions and needs more care and more money(Native breeds could feed and survive on the barren lands or grasslands but they don't need any high medical attention). The farmers definitely cannot afford to this and the milk production will move to the corporates. It will automatically rise the cost of milk.

To produce these bulls, we neeed the native breed of cows and bulls. So we can save our native cows for the sake of jallikattu. By Jallikatttu or Eruthazhuvuthal, the bulls are classified for breeding and farming.(The bulls which cannot be controlled has high potential and preserved for breeding and the rest is used for farming). It is a cycle that Jallikattu and farming(includes milking) or interconnected. The corporates or the MNCs wants to break the chain and they want to earn the profit in a country like India where there is a need for milk which will definitely lead to end of farmers(particularly in milk production).

This image shows you truly who / why banning this sport,

Many short films and documentaries regarding these issues are made to create awareness. Recently, HipHop Tamizha aadhi, made a short film named ‘Takkaru Takkaru’.