Jallikkattu – Why this agitation in Tamilnadu on the part of students, favoring bull domestication sports?

A brief introduction to rural sports in Tamilnadu:

Tamilnadu is famous for cultural sports activities. Kabadi is a common men’s game that anyone can participate in that involves sufficient muscle strength and breath retention. Another game worth mentioning is Gilli, who is the main runner in the modern cricket game in which players only use two sticks, the longest as a bat and the smallest as a ball. The rural people of the Tamil land are famous for ‘silambattam’, which means to fight with a long stick. These games involve only human players. The Jallikkattu game implies that bulls are domesticated by human force and that it remains the symbol of Tamil culture since time immemorial. Just because animals are part of the game, animal lovers described it as cruelty to animals and the government of India banned it. There is a huge protest across Tamilnadu to restore sports saying it is a blow to long-standing Tamil culture. In addition to cultural issues, the problem involves various complicated issues such as PETA’s ban, opening up the market to international companies, banning bottled beverages, etc. This article provides a brief overview of the actual issues involved.

What is ‘jallikkattu?’

Although jallikkattu is a bull taming game, the translation of the word is different. A treasure trove of coins (jalli) would be tied in a cloth bundle (Kattu) to the hump of the raging bulls. Daring young men by the dozen would try to tame the bull, most fail, the brave one who tames the bull by hugging the hump, thus putting the bull under perfect control. It is for this reason that the game is also known in ancient Tamil literature “Eru (Bull) thazuvudhal (to embrace)”.

In fact, it is a dangerous game that endangers human lives. The horns are usually sharp like pointed knives and most of the time pierce and many youngsters had died in this sport. Certain bulls are reserved for this purpose only and are sumptuously fed throughout the year. The function of domestication of bulls will take place on the “Mattu pongal” (bull festival that follows the harvest festival, which usually coincides with January 15 of each year). The practice of pretty young girls garlanding and marrying only those young men who tame the most inflexible bull is still in vogue in some parts of the South. Both the victor (future groom) and the domesticated bull will be carried in procession throughout the town and will be filled with gifts and ornaments.

The main cause of agitation:

PETA (India) (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the Indian chapter of the international organization based in New York (USA). They work for the welfare of animals by fighting cruelty to animals. They presented their case in Madurai court and obtained a ban against jallikkattu in 2014 for the simple reason that animals cannot be used for entertainment. Therefore, Jallikkattu had not been celebrated for two consecutive years in 2015 and 2016. But this year, people insisted that jallikkattu should be celebrated without fail on Mattu Pongal day (15.1.2017). Honorable judge did not issue a favorable sentence. Since 1/17/17, students have gathered in their billions in Marina, Chennai and other centers such as Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy and most importantly in Alanganallur. (The main place where jallikkattu took place). Students gathered in lakhs and silently protested which was then joined by non-students as well. The world famous Marina beach had an assembly of almost a million protesters.

Some special features of the protest:

The protest had several special characteristics. First of all, it did not have a specific organizer. The messages were sent via electronic devices using the face book, What’s up and people converged on their own. It had no political backing or political leader to lead them. This turmoil can be called the first of its kind using only IT support. The students held a sit-in demonstration for six days without any mishap.

Requests made by protesters:

They wanted the complete restoration of Jallikkattu, that is, the bull taming game as played out in years prior to January 2015. But soon, the lawsuit culminated in a total ban by PETA in India.

What were the complaints against PETA ?:

The agitators alleged that PETS, in the name of the ethical treatment of animals, is spreading foreign products in India, thus annihilating indigenous products. These include bottles of purified water, drinks, snacks, etc. They were compared with the East India Company, which under the pretext of having commercial contacts brought all of India under its control, which was later taken over by the British Kingdom. Interestingly, PETA, instead of dispelling genuine fear and promoting its mission, put some worthless arguments in its favor. Local PETA leaders gave interviews that added fuel to the fire.

Stirring continued for 6 days. The most notable feature of the upheaval was that it was carried out as a peaceful demonstration like Gandhi’s. After six days, the agitators were victorious by passing a law in the legislative assembly to celebrate jallikkattu as usual.

It is too early to say that victory is final. There may be legal hurdles to follow.

However, in post-independence India, for the first time, a peaceful demonstration was held successfully without religious, caste or political prejudice. Another more remarkable aspect is that it was not guided by politicians nor did it have a particular leadership. It was a totally voluntary participation of the students who used only electronic devices to help them fight for the restoration of their right to practice sport.

It really is a good start.

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