Jallikattu Ban Issue

What is Jallikattu?

Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal day as a part of Pongal celebrations i.e. harvest festival.
It is one of the oldest living ancient tradition practiced in the modern era.
Jallikattu has been derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns.
In Sangam literature the sport is called as ‘Yeru thazhuvuthal’ (means to embrace bulls).
In older times Jallikattu was popular amongst warriors during the Tamil classical period.
The bull tamer sought to remove this bundle from the animal’s head to win gold or silver coins to be called ‘brave’ and ‘valourous’.
All castes participate in the event and majority of jallikattu bulls belong to the pulikulam breed of cattle.

Why are animal activists opposed to Jallikattu?

The practice of Jallikattu has long been contested by animal rights activists concerned over issues of cruelty to animals and the bloody and dangerous nature of the sport that causes death and injuries to both the bulls and human participants.

What are the arguments in favour of Jallikattu?

Jallikattu is Tamil pride, Tamil culture and the cultural heritage of the state of Tamil Nadu.
Jallikattu is considered a traditional way for the peasant community to preserve their pure-breed native bulls.
Conservationists and peasants argue that Jallikattu is a way to protect these male animals which are otherwise used only for meat if not for ploughing.

What is the Supreme Court stand on Jallikattu?

In 2011, the Centre added bulls to the list of animals whose training and exhibition is prohibited.
In 2014, the Supreme Court banned the Jallikattu on a petition that cited the 2011 notification.
In 2017, Tamil Nadu government passed an amendment to the central government’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and allowing Jallikattu in the state; this was later ratified by the President.
In 2018, the Supreme Court referred the Jallikattu case to a Constitution Bench, where it is pending now.