The upcoming assembly polls scheduled to be held in Tamil Nadu in 2021 has brought the prominent Pongal festival and Jallikattu, the area’s traditional bull-taming sport, into the political spotlight.
Jallikattu: A Traditional Sport
Jallikattu is a time-honored tradition that extends back over 2,000 years. It serves a dual purpose as both a competitive sport and an event designed to honour those who raise bulls for breeding purposes. Participants attempt to tame a bull for a prize, and if they ultimately fail, the prize falls to the owner of the bull.
Regions and Timing
Referred to as the “Jallikattu belt,” the districts of Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Pudukkottai and Dindigul in Tamil Nadu are particularly renowned for this sport. This annual event typically takes place during the second week of January, aligning with the Tamil harvest festival, Pongal.
The Import of Jallikattu in Tamil Culture
As an integral part of Tamil culture, Jallikattu provides a unique way for the peasant community to maintain pure-bred native bulls. With cattle breeding becoming an increasingly artificial process, conservationists and peasants argue that Jallikattu helps safeguard male animals typically used only for meat or ploughing. Popular local cattle breeds involved in Jallikattu include Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Bargur and Malai Maadu. Owners of these premium breeds garner respect within the community.
Legal Interventions and Current Status
In 2011, the Centre added bulls to the list of animals forbidden from training and exhibition. The Supreme Court also issued a ban on the sport in 2014, referencing the 2011 notification. However, the state government has legalized these events, a decision that has been challenged in court. As of 2018, the Supreme Court has deferred the Jallikattu case to a Constitution Bench, where it remains pending.
Central Conflict
The core issue to be resolved is whether Jallikattu can be preserved as a cultural right of the Tamil Nadu people, which would be considered a fundamental right, according to Article 29 (1). This must be balanced against the rights of the animals involved in the sport.
Similar Sports in Other States
Karnataka has also passed a law to protect a similar sport, known as Kambala. Aside from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where bull-taming and racing sports continue to take place, these activities remain prohibited in all other Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra, due to the 2014 Supreme Court ban.
With the assembly polls soon to take place in Tamil Nadu, it’s no surprise that Jallikattu, an integral part of the region’s culture and tradition, has gained widespread attention. As this controversial sport continues to be practiced, debated, and legally contested, it remains a significant issue within the local community and beyond.
