Jallikattu is a sport where a bull is chased by participants in an open arena. Jallikattu is also called Eru Thazhuvuthal meaning ‘Embracing a Bull’. The sport is played during Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival. The aim of the sport is to subdue the bull with bare hands. Bulls which are subdued are used for domestic purposes like agriculture and bulls which are untamed are used for breeding. It involves native Indian breed like Bos Indicus. Bulls were included in a list (notification) of animals which have been banned from being used for entertainment by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 2011.
This decision was challenged in Supreme Court (SC) in 2014. But SC upheld the Ministry decision to ban Jallikattu. This banned the sport for close to two years. In 2016, the Ministry modified its earlier notification, allowing use of bulls despite the existing ban continuing as per SC order. The issue is in the news because people in Tamil Nadu are protesting the ban by openly defying SC orders and conducting the sport.
Arguments supporting Jallikattu
- It is a cultural aspect of people rooted in their customs and traditions. Indus Valley seals depict men taming bulls.
- People are free to practice their customs and traditions in a democratic country.
- People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), face of those opposing the sport , does not understand Indian/native traditions and customs.
- Bulls of native breed are used in the sport which are breed and trained with special attention. The untamed bulls are used for breeding. This way the sport helps in protection of native breed preventing extinct of the species.
Arguments opposing Jallikattu
- After Environment Ministry’s 2011 notification was challenged, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was given the responsibility to file a detailed report.
- In its report, AWBI testified that bulls were beaten, kicked, chilly-powder rubbed into their eyes, their humps and horns were seized and twisted, and that the tails of the animals were routinely pulled and twisted, leading to painful injuries and broken tails. Thus, SC banned the sport on basis of AWBI report.
- The aim to preserve native breed can be achieved by public participation without hurting the animal through sports.
Jallikattu is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
What is the relation between Jallikattu and A2 milk?
Jallikattu gets a go-ahead, to be conducted tomorrow after three years