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Jallikattu

A youth trying to take control of a bull in Jallikattu at Alanganallur.
Nicknames	Eru thazhuvuthal, Manju virattu
First played	400-100 BC
Characteristics
Mixed-sex	No
Type	Traditional game
Venue	Open ground
Presence
Country or region	Tamil Nadu, India
Olympic	No
Paralympic	No

Jallikattu (Template:Lang-ta) or Sallikkattu Template:Lang-ta), also known as Eru thazhuvuthal (Template:Lang-ta) and Manju virattu (Template:Lang-ta), is a traditional practice in which bulls are tamed and subdued. This is typically practiced in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.

During Jallikattu, a running bull is released into a crowd of people. Participants attempt to grab the bull's hump and ride it for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags affixed to the bull's horns.

Etymology

Ancient Tamil Sangams described the practice as Yeru thazhuvuthal, literally "bull embracing". The modern term Jallikattu is derived from salli (coins) and kattu (package), which refers to a prize of coins that are tied to the bull's horns and that participants attempt to retrieve. Manju virattu literally means "bull chasing".

History

Jallikattu has been known to be practiced during the Tamil classical period (400-100 BC). It was common among the ancient people Aayars who lived in the ‘Mullai’ geographical division of the ancient Tamil country. Later, it became a platform for display of bravery and prize money was introduced for participation encouragement. A seal from the Indus Valley Civilization depicting the practice is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi. A cave painting in white kaolin discovered near Madurai depicting a lone man trying to control a bull is estimated to be about 2,500 years old.

Variants

These include vaṭi viraṭṭu where a bull being released from an enclosure need to be held on to for a predetermined distance or time to win the prize, vēli viraṭṭu where a bull is released in an open ground with participants trying to subdue the animal and vaṭam manjuviraṭṭu where a bull is tied to a 50-foot-long rope (15 m) and a team of players attempt to subdue the bull within a specific time.

Breeding

Bos indicus bulls are bred specifically by people of the village for the event and attended mainly by many villages' temple bulls. Bulls that are able to participate successfully in the Jallikattu event are used as studs for breeding. These bulls also fetch higher prices in the markets.

Training and preparation

The calves that are reared to become bulls are fed a nutritious diet so that they develop into strong and sturdy animals. The calves, once they reach adolescence are taken to small events to familiarize them with the atmosphere and specific training is given based on the variant of the event it is meant for. In general, bulls are trained to not allow strangers to come near them. For the people who raise these bulls, the animals are said to be sacred to them. After 2009, it is claimed that before the bulls are released in gate (Vaadivaasal), they are subjected to medical tests including tests for alcohol and substance that will aggravate the bulls. These tests are said to be conducted by a team of government vets under the supervision of the district collector. The human participants in the Jallikattu event are said to undergo medical tests as well and are tested for alcohol. However, it has been argued that since Jallikattu was itself declared illegal, no test standards can be legally set.

Protests and ban

Animal activists, the FIAPO (Federation of India Animal Protection Agencies) and PETA India have protested against the practice since 2004.

The Animal Welfare Board of India filed a case in the Supreme Court of India for an outright ban on Jallikattu because of the cruelty to animals and the threat to public safety involved. Protestors claims that Jallikattu is promoted as bull taming it exploits the bulls' natural nervousness as prey animals by deliberately placing them in a terrifying situation in which they are forced to run away from those they perceive as predators and the practice effectively involves catching a terrified animal. Along with human injuries and fatalities, sometimes bulls themselves sustain injuries which people believe as bad omen for the village.

On 27 November 2010, the Supreme Court permitted the Government of Tamil Nadu to allow Jallikattu for five months in a year and directed the District Collectors to make sure that the animals that participate in Jallikattu are registered to the Animal Welfare Board and in return the Board would send its representative to monitor over the event. The Government of Tamil Nadu ordered that ₹2 lakh (US$2,300) be deposited by the organizers in case of an accident or injury during the event and enacted a rule to allow a team of veterinarians be present at the venue for certifying the bulls for participation in the event and to provide treatment for bulls that get injured.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a notification in 2011 that banned the use of bulls as performing animals, thereby banning the event But the practice continued to be held under Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act No 27 of 2009. On 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court of India struck down the state law and banned Jallikattu altogether. The Supreme Court noted that any flouting of the ban should result in penalties for cruelty to animals under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The court also asked the Government of India to amend the law on preventing cruelty to animals to bring bulls within its ambit. The Supreme Court also ruled that cruelty is inherent in these events, as bulls are not anatomically suited for such activities and making them participate is subjecting them to unnecessary pain and suffering, so such events were outlawed.

In May 2014, the Supreme Court of India banned the practice, citing animal welfare issues. On 8 January, 2016, the Government of India passed an order exempting Jallikattu from all performances where bulls can not be used, effectively reversing the ban. However, on 14 January, 2016, the Supreme Court of India upheld its ban on the event, leading to protests all over Tamil Nadu.

On 8 January 2016, the Ministry of Environment and Forests permitted the continuation of the tradition under certain conditions, effectively ending the ban, however that was overturned by the Supreme Court on 26 July 2016.

On 2016, the World Youth Organization on 16 January 2016 at Chennai protested against the stay on ban on conducting Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. WYO also demanded a ban on PETA in India.

On 8 January 2017, some anonymous groups conducted a well-organised rally at Chennai Marina opposing the ban of Jallikattu. The participants walked from the lighthouse to labour statue bearing posters saying ‘save Jallikattu'. It is reported that there were hundreds of participants in the rally, Following the protests at Chennai, many students started rallies in various towns of tamilnadu. Churches conducted prayers to the jallikattu ban to be revoked.

After hearing the petitions which were led by the Animal Welfare Board of India challenging central government's notification, the Supreme Court of India on 12 January 2016 ordered a stay, issued notices to the central government and Tamil Nadu Government and later refused to lift the stay. Numerous Jallikattu events were held across Tamil Nadu in protest of the ban, and hundreds of participants were detained by police in response.

In popular culture

Jalikattu is often shown in Tamil cinema where the hero tames the bull to prove his gallantry. Some of the popular movies include:

• Virumaandi
• Murattu Kaalai
• Cheran Pandiyan
• Mirugam
• Ilami
• Kanni Paruvathile

See also

• Bull-leaping
• Running of the bulls

References

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• Bullfighting
• Sport in Tamil Nadu
• Tamil sports and games
• Traditional sports of India
• Bull sports