Jallikattu : History, Court Rulings and Controversy

Protests and demonstrations were held across Tamil Nadu in January 2017 to protest the 2014 Supreme Court (SC) ban on a rural traditional sport called Jallikattu. Along with the movement, a debate raged in electronic and print media (both in English and Tamil) about Jallikattu’s history, politics, and ethics. This debate drew many public participants, including academics, political figures, writers, animal rights activists, and cultural figures, including members of the Tamil film industry. 

In 2017, the Jallikattu debate became a focal point for discussions about culture, folk traditions, modernity, regional identity, caste, gender, law, the environment, animal rights, and other topics. In this module, we will attempt to trace the sociopolitico-cultural genealogy of Jallikattu in order to better understand its complexities and nuances.

What is Jallikattu?

• Jallikattu is a sport that is part of Mattu Pongal (the 3rd day of the four-day-long harvest, Pongal)
• Jallikattu is also referred to as eru thazhuvuthal and manju virattu
• The Tamil word for bull is ‘Mattu,’ and the third day of Pongal is dedicated to cattle. Bulls take precedence over cows because they aid in field ploughing, cart pulling, and mating with cows to produce more offspring and thus more milk production
• Bulls are brought to a common location where the ritual takes place. Participants are expected to embrace the bull’s hump and attempt to tame it by bringing the bull to a halt
• Jallikattu is a combination of the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), and it refers to a bundle of coins tied to the bull’s horns. Previously, the tamer attempted to remove this bundle from the animal’s head in order to win gold or silver. He was praised for his “bravery” and “valour,” and he was sometimes rewarded with a bride

History of Jallikattu

• Jalikattu has been practised for at least 2500 years, according to legend
• The National Museum in New Delhi has a seal from the Indus Valley civilization depicting the practise
• Archaeologists estimate that a cave painting depicting a man attempting to tame a bull is 2500 years old
• There are references to people enjoying witnessing and participating in Jalikattu in Silappatikaram, one of Tamil classical period’s five great epics, as well as two other ancient literary works, Kalithogai and Malaipadukadaam

Jallikattu Controversy

Animal rights organisations in India have recently protested against Jallikattu. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Federation of India Animal Protection Agencies (FIAPA) have been leading the charge against Jallikattu since 2004. Because of the cruelty to animals and the threat to public safety, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) first petitioned the Supreme Court of India for an outright ban on Jallikattu. 

The AWBI claimed that the sport takes advantage of the bulls’ natural nervousness as prey animals by deliberately putting them in a frightening situation and forcing them to flee. It also stated that sometimes spectators are injured or even killed. There have also been instances where bulls getting injured.

On November 27, 2010, the Supreme Court granted the Tamil Nadu government permission to allow Jallikattu for five months out of the year, and directed District Collectors to ensure that the animals participating in Jallikattu are registered with the Animal Welfare Board. An AWBI representative was also permitted to attend Jallikattu events.

However, the UPA government’s Ministry of Environment and Forests banned the use of bulls for sport in 2011, effectively ending the festival. The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act 2009, on the other hand, allowed Jallikattu to continue unabated in the state.

Rules of Jallikattu

Participants are not permitted to stand in front of the bull’s path as they enter the frontline, according to the new rules. They are also not permitted to obstruct the bull’s exit path once they have crossed the arena. 

Participants may only embrace the bulls by hanging from their hump and run for 15 metres or 30 seconds, or else endure three jumps from the ferocious bull. When the bull reaches its run area, the participants are no longer permitted to touch the bulls. Participants are not permitted to grasp the bull’s tail, horns, or even restrict the bull’s movement by grasping the bull’s legs. Participants who violate these guidelines will be banned from the sport for life. 

To participate in the event, the likely applicant must follow formalities such as submitting a form with rules and regulations, individual photos, and a medical checkup is performed on all participants. The organisations are liable to take full responsibility for the entire event; thus, they must obtain prior permission from the Collector of the respective district for the people and bulls participating in the Jallikattu event. 

The Collector ensures that the bulls are free of diseases and are not intoxicated with any substance or object that makes bulls violent or ferocious with the help of experts from the Animal Husbandry Department. Some injuries occurred during Jallikattu, but the Medical Crew provided proper medical care.

Conclusion

The Tamil word for bull is ‘Mattu,’ and the third day of Pongal is dedicated to cattle. Participants are expected to embrace the bull’s hump and attempt to tame it by bringing the bull to a halt. Jallikattu is a combination of the words ‘calli’ and ‘kattu’, and it refers to a bundle of coins tied to the bull’s horns. Because of the cruelty to animals and the threat to public safety, the Animal Welfare Board of India first petitioned the Supreme Court of India for an outright ban on Jallikattu. The AWBI claimed that the sport takes advantage of the bulls’ natural nervousness as prey animals by deliberately putting them in a frightening situation and forcing them to flee. On November 27, 2010, the Supreme Court granted the Tamil Nadu government permission to allow Jallikattu for five months out of the year, and directed District Collectors to ensure that the animals participating in Jallikattu are registered with the Animal Welfare Board.