Revision as of 13:41, 13 January 2017

Jallikattu in brief

Jallikattu: All you wanted to know about the Tamil Nadu's controversial sport, 13 Jan, 2017

Jallikattu: Bull- taming sport, The Times of India

Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal (mid-January) celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. A seal from the Indus Valley Civilization depicting the sport is preserved in the National Museum.

1. The bull-taming sport also known as 'Manju Virattu' is organised in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. Bulls are specially bred by people of the village for the event and attended mainly by many villages' temple bulls (kovil kaalai)

One major centre of the sport is Alanganallor village, about 424 kilometers (264 miles) south of Chennai. Palamedu, about 434 kilometers (269 miles) south of Chennai is another.

Annually, jallikattu is held from January to July, played first in world-famous Palamedu, near Madurai on January 15 followed by "Alanganallur-jallikattu" in Alanganallur, near Madurai on 16 January.

Special galleries for the spectators are erected at alanganallur in Madurai district. Preparations for jallikattu take several weeks

2. The word 'Jallikattu' is derived from the Tamil words Jalli and Kattu, which mean silver or gold coins tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. The term jallikattu comes from the term calli kacu (coins) and kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. Later days during the colonial period this evolved to jallikattu which is the term currently used.

Bull owners whose animal cannot be subdued by the 'tamers' during jallikattu rejoice when the game is over. Successful bull-tamers walk away with gold and silver coins, cupboards, grinders, mixies, wire cots, mobile phones, utensils and bicycles.

As in cricket where bowlers try to get batsmen conceding as few runs as possible, and batsmen try to score as high as they can without getting out, in jallikattu those who try to tame the bulls are like the batsmen, trying to score high. Those whose bulls could not be tamed are like the bowlers, trying to concede as little as possible.

3. Bull baiting was common among the ancient tribes 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 entertainment.

4. There are three variants of Jallikattu - Vati Manju Virattu, Veli Virattu and Vatam Manjuvirattu. In Vati Manju Virattu, the bull which is being released from an enclosure is held for some distance and time. The person who manages to hold the animal within the time span in the distance wins. In Veli Virattu, the bull is released on an open ground while people try to gain control over the animal. And in Vatam Manjuvirattu, the bull is tied to long rope while a team of players try to control the animal.

5. The bull often tries to charge towards the human participants in the sport

Injuries and even deaths occur in jallikattu. Participants and spectators have to scramble for safety when a bull charges towards them during Jallikattu. Bulls also charge at each other.

In 2004, at least 5 people were reported dead and several hundreds injured in various villages. Two hundred have died over the past two decades. Unlike in Spanish bullfighting, the bull is not killed. There are rarely any casualties suffered by the bulls. Several animal activists object to this dangerous game every year, but so far these objections have been in vain.

Reportedly, from 2010 to 2014, there were approximately 1,100 injuries and 17 deaths because of Jallikattu events. Over 200 people have died from the sport over the past two decades [mid 1990s-2016].

6. The calves that are chosen to become jallikattu bulls are fed a nutritious diet so that they develop into strong, sturdy beasts. The bulls are made to swim for exercise. The calves, once they reach adolescence are taken to small jallikattu events to familiarize them with the atmosphere. Specific training is given to vadam manju virattu bulls to understand the restraints of the rope. apart from this, no other training is provided to jallikattu bulls. Once the bulls are released, then instinct takes over.

Bulls that run out of the area stray into villages and get lost after the event.

Jallikattu looms large in the art of the area. On a wall opposite the Madurai collectorate there is a semi-traditional painting of two men trying to tame a bull as many spectators look on..

TRADITION OF SPORT

A jallikattu event at Sakkudi village in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district in March 2013. More than 500 bulls from across Madurai, Sivaganga, Dindigul, Pudukkottai and Trichy districts participated in the Jallikattu event held at Sakkudi village in 2013./ TOI photo

ORIGIN

Jallikattu has been around for over 400 years. The event was recorded in ancient literature as ‘yeru thaluvudal’ (hugging the bull). Initially, it was a ceremony to select a bridegroom — the successful tamer would get to marry the maiden.

NAME

The name jallikattu is derived from the word ‘salli’ or ‘kasu’ meaning coins and ‘kattu’ meaning bundle/pouch. The pouch, made of yellow cloth, filled with coins, is tied to the bull’s horns. The tamer gets the pouch.

WHY DURING PONGAL

On 3rd day of the four-day-harvest festival, people offer prayers to bulls, cows and other farm animals and then play the customary bull-taming sport. They believe that not playing the sport will displease local deities, including lord Muniswara.

DISTRICTS

The biggest jallikattu, at Alanganallur, has the tourism department’s patronage. The event also takes place in Avaniapuram and Palamedu of Madurai district and in some villages in surrounding districts like Pudukottai, Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur.

GPS to track terrified bulls fleeing the arena, A/C vans to coax them

Terrified bulls flee the arena: GPS to track them, A/C vans to coax them

GPS to track jallikattu bulls

V Mayilvaganan,TNN | Jan 12, 2014 The Times of India

MADURAI: After losing several bulls that ran out of jallikattu arenas over the years, bull owners have now turned to technology to ensure they don't lose their prized animals. Now, a GPS gadget attached to the bulls will help their owners track them on an Android mobile phone.

A group of bull owners from Sivaganga and Trichy will use the GPS equipment, which will be tied around the bulls' neck, when they enter the jallikattu arena. With the bulls costing between Rs75,000 and Rs2.5 lakh, their owners are not ready to take chances.

Jallikattu bulls run into villages, fields or adjoining forests. Dozens of bulls that ran away to the forests adjoining villages in Sivaganga have now become wild and can't be caught. Some bulls have strayed and fallen into wells and drowned.It takes at least 10 people to search them and for many days. At the end there is no guarantee that they will be found, say the joint secretary of Jallikattu Pathukappu Kuzhu; and the state secretary of Veera Vilayattu Pathukappu Peravai

The bull owners have bought eight gadgets for (Rs?) 8,000 (each?) and have planned to buy more after studying the effectiveness at Alanganallur jallikattu during Pongal.

The bull owners plan to approach the Animal Welfare Board of India and state animal husbandry department for permission.

An airconditioned caravan was organised to take the bulls for jallikattu competitions. The caravan will also have a monitor connected to the blue tooth gadget on the bulls.

An animal husbandry department official said they would have to consider some factors before giving the device the nod. "We have to see if the gadget affects the animals' behaviour, the official said.

Jallikattu organisers and animal rights activists have been at loggerheads with the latter moving courts in the past to ban the event. At present, jallikattu, perceived as an expression of their cultural tradition by peasant communities, are allowed only after the organisers follow stringent conditions meant to ensure that the animals are not ill-treated.

A history of court and executive orders; the ethical debate

Explained: In Jallikattu, questions of tradition and cruelty to animals| by Arun Janardhanan | January 12, 2016 | Indian Express

Why did the Supreme Court hear a petition on Jallikattu, the traditional bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu?

Modifying its 2011 order that included bulls in a list of animals that “shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animal”, the Environment Ministry in Jan 2016 issued a notification saying Jallikattu, a sport traditionally played in Tamil Nadu during Pongal celebrations, can be held this year.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and some others on Monday moved the Supreme Court, seeking urgent hearing of appeals against the Centre’s order. The court will hear the petitions on Tuesday. The harvest festival of Pongal will be celebrated from Friday to Sunday.

But hasn’t the Supreme Court already banned Jallikattu and bullock-cart races on grounds of cruelty to animals?

Yes. In May 2014, the court said “bulls cannot be allowed as performing animals, either for Jallikattu events or bullock-cart races in the state of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country.” The Centre’s notification last week sought to overturn the SC ban.

The SC order also identified “the five freedoms” of animals, including freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition, freedom from fear and distress, freedom from physical and thermal discomfort, freedom from pain, injury and disease, and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour. It asked Parliament to “elevate rights of animals to that of constitutional rights, as done by many of the countries around the world, so as to protect their dignity and honour”.

Back in 1991, the Environment Ministry had banned the training and exhibition of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and dogs. The notification was challenged by the Indian Circus Organisation before the Delhi High Court, and after prolonged litigation, the legality of the notification was upheld. The ministry issued a fresh notification in 2011, which specifically included “bulls”, paving the way for the Jallikattu ban. The May 2014 order upheld the 2011 notification.

So why did the Centre decide to overturn the judgment by the apex court?

It is largely political. The Jallikattu belt is dominated by the politically powerful OBC Thevar community, which has politicians and considerable clout in several parties. All parties in Tamil Nadu welcomed the Centre’s decision.

It was important for BJP to be seen as being with the “people” ahead of the Assembly elections in April. Tamilisai Soundararajan, state president of the BJP, has said lifting the ban would help the party in the polls. Soundararajan said party chief Amit Shah had had several meetings with Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar to ensure the ban was lifted.

Is there anything other than political considerations in this?

Organisers of Jallikattu and bullock-cart races argue that these are traditional practices closely associated with village life, especially in the southern districts. The bulls are specifically identified, trained and nourished for these sporting events, and their owners spend considerable sums on their upkeep. No tickets are sold for Jallikattu or bullock-cart races, and not much pain or suffering is caused to the animal. Thus, they argue, while these events may be regulated, they ought not to be completely prohibited.

And what are the AWBI and organisations such as PETA arguing?

Through various reports, affidavits and photographs, the AWBI has argued that Jallikattu bulls are physically and mentally tortured for the pleasure and enjoyment of human beings. They have also produced visual evidence for torture and cruelty to bullocks in Maharashtra’s bullock-cart races. According to AWBI, Jallikattu or bullock-cart races conducted in this way have no historical, cultural or religious significance in Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra, and that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, must supersede any such practice.

Is this debate then essentially between those who enjoy a medieval bloodsport, and the progressive votaries of animal rights?

It is probably more complex than that. There is a clash of worldviews, and the disagreement reflects the absence of an inclusive approach to the problem. The Jallikattu belt — mainly the districts of Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Pudukkottai and Dindigul — still breeds pure native studs, and Jallikattu was always more a way to honour bullowners than a competitive sport. Jallikattu events do not offer any major monetary benefits, and prizes are mostly a dhoti, towel, betel leaves, bananas and token cash — that is rarely more than Rs 101 — on a silver plate. Mixer-grinders, refrigerators and furniture have been added to the list of prizes at some events over the last few years. B Raja of Madurai, who sold his Jallikattu bull after the SC ban, complained that the activists “who make brief visits to villages from the cities and allege cruelty to animals” have very little idea of how the animals are reared. “They are like our children. These critics have never seen that. It is not the same as having a pet dog at their apartments,” he said.

However, AWBI and PETA pictures and video footage do clearly show the animals having their tails twisted or bitten, and being poked with spiked instruments as they are forced into the arena.

2008: SC lifts ban on Pongal bullfight

TN wins battle as SC lifts ban on Pongal bullfight

Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN January 16, 2008 The Times of India

New Delhi: In a major reprieve to the Tamil Nadu government, Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed its ban and allowed the bull-taming race of ‘jallikattu’ during Pongal festivities this year after the state promised that the animals would not be tortured and steps would be taken to prevent injuries to participants.

However, the court resented the DMK government’s tactics in seeking reversal of its January 11 order, in which it had refused to lift the ban on ‘jallikattu’ terming it as barbaric and inhuman as bulls were tortured, administered chilli powder and local brew to make them charge in an enraged state. The SC did point out that the DMK-led government’s recourse to invoking the religious sentiments of for seeking lifting of the ban did present an obvious contradiction in terms of the Dravidian party’s outright rejection of the “faith” argument in the Ram Setu case. The controversial Sethusamudram project is being also being heard by the SC.

The state’s main argument was that a ban on the 400-yearold traditional event would hurt people’s religious sentiments. But it did not forget to mention that if the ban order was not reversed, people would defy it.

Citing intelligence reports, it said: “In most villages, the people have decided to defy the Supreme Court order and to go ahead with the celebration of ‘jallikattu’ as usual.... This situation would create a major law and order problem in many places during the Pongal festival.”

Appearing for the state, additional solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam tried to focus only on the sentimental issue while distancing himself from the matter contained in the state’s application. But the court’s radar picked up the seriousness of the flaws in the state’s arguments.

“We do not approve of the reasons given by the Tamil Nadu government to seek modification of the January 11 order,” a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal recorded in its order while permitting holding of ‘jallikattu’ under strict supervision of the district authorities to prevent torture to animals and injury to participants. The invoking of religious sentiments also invited terse comments from the court, which is also adjudicating the controversy relating to the Sethusamudram Channel Project involving dredging of Ram Setu. After the Centre’s affidavit questioning the basis of Ramayan and Lord Ram kicked up a furore, the TN chief minister had also sought to doubt that Ram ever existed.

The Bench said: “We do not know why the TN government is invoking religious sentiments. We wonder what would be their stand in another case pending before us. We do not want to specify which case.” It was crystal clear that the Bench was referring to Ram Setu controversy.

What clinched the issue for the state was Subramaniam’s insistence that the local administrations of each district under the collector had prepared a blueprint under which all animals would be certified by the veterinary staff that they were fit to be allowed to run and that they had not been tortured. Adding a few more ‘don’ts’ to the list of guidelines already put in place by the state government, the Bench said if all these were strictly adhered to the bulls would not be enraged to run in the earmarked arena and would only walk through it.

“If all the safeguards recorded in the order are strictly implemented, there will be no charm left in ‘jallikattu’ as the bulls would only walk through the running arena,” the Bench said.

2016: Centre allows jallikattu

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

“Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, bullock cart race in Maharashtra, Kambala in Karnataka and some sort of race using bullocks in Punjab have been traditionally and culturally practiced for centuries. We want to respect that but also ensure that there should be no cruelty ,“ environment minister Prakash Javadekar said on Monday .

These events involving animals will be permitted to continue “for some time“, he said. Jallikattu, also known as `Eruthazhuvuthal', is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations. The Supreme Court had banned using bulls for Jallikattu events or bullock-cart races across the country and directed governments and the Animal Welfare Board of India to take steps to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

Central, southern districts celebrate

The Times of India Jan 11 2016

Jallikattu: the main venues, the dates and the rules

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Final Word Is Yet To Be Heard But Bull Owners, Tamers Gird Up Their Loins With Just A Week To Go For The Scheduled Events

Rural regions in the central and southern districts erupted in celebrations as soon as news spread that jallikattu will be conducted this Pongal. People took to the streets with their jallikattu bulls and distributed sweets. “Today is the real Pongal for us as we have been desperately waiting for a positive announcement,“ said V Srinivasan, owner of five jallikattu bulls at MelaKondayamPettai village near Thiruvanaikaval in Trichy district. Said Satish, a jallikattu enthusiast from Milaguparai, “The government has shown a way to ensure that jallikattu is conducted this year. But we insist on a permanent solution so that the sport can be celebrated ever year.“ Bull owners in Madurai district are speeding up preparations. Although many jallikattu events take place across the district, Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniyapuram are particularly famous for the sport. Though jallikattu was banned, bull owners say they have not been taking it easy . The bulls have been undergoing strenuous training to hone up their strength and stamina; tamers say everything is in the hands God. “We just bank on Him and enter into the ring and he will take care of our lives.“ One has to be daring as well as adept to successfully tame a bull. “It would not happen all of a sudden. You have to spend years together from childhood closely with bulls in order to learn the nuances,“ a B Sakthivel, a bull tamer. For many bull owners, the animal is like a family member. “I have two children, but I love my bull Karuppasamy more. I have caned my children, but not my bull.Usually the jallikattu bulls are pledged to God and we consider them sacred,“ says Dhana Kumar, a resident of Manickampatti near Palamedu in Madurai district. However, there was an undercurrent of concern that there was not much time left for preparations. Bull owners and tamers say the usual spirit will be missing at this year's event. Prizes to winning bull tamers as well as bulls are an important aspect of the jallikattu event. These range from motorcycles on rare occasions, gold coins, bicycles, steel almirahs, bronze utensils and even sheep and goats. The prizes are announced to wild cheers from thousands of spectators gathered at the venue. The organisers usually start collecting donations much earlier.Those who cannot afford to contribute cash would give away their goats and sheep. “Last time we collected around `15 lakh and prize items. We started reaching out to people well in advance.This time it would be an achievement if we manage to collect `10 lakh,“ said P KarthigaiRajan of the PalameduPodhuMagalingaMadathu Committee that organises the sport. Bull tamers and owners do not attach much importance to prizes. They say they would venture into the ring with pride even if there is no prize. PETA TO MOVE SC Animal rights organisation People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA), which has been at the forefront of the campaign against jallikattu, on Friday said it would challenge the Centre's decision to permit the bulltaming sport in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had on May 7, 2014 banned the ancient sport. PeTA India CEO PoorvaJoshipura vowed to continue their fight to protect bulls from cruelty

Jan 16/ Centre allows Jallikattu, Supreme Court stops it, Jayalalithaa wants ordinance

After Centre allowed Jallikattu, Supreme Court stops it, Jayalalithaa asks Modi for ordinance, Utkarsh Anand , Arun Janardhanan | New Delhi | January 13, 2016, Indian Express

The bench said that in view of contentions raised, there has to be an interim order staying ‘Jallikattu’ till the points of law are decided by the apex court.

With its [Jan 2016] order, the Supreme Court has revived its ban on Jallikattu, first imposed in May 2014 when it held that use of bulls in such events severely harmed animals and constituted an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Questioning the “necessity of such festivals”, the Supreme Court Tuesday restrained the Tamil Nadu government from conducting its traditional bull-taming sport Jallikattu, and stayed the Centre’s notification lifting the ban on it.

“What is the necessity of such festivals… like Jallikattu? There was no festival for four years… as an interim measure, we direct that there shall be stay of notification dated January 7, 2016 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, until further orders,” a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and N V Ramana said.

Agreeing with animal rights groups on the necessity to issue an urgent order, the court imposed the interim stay until March 15 which, apart from Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, will also prohibit bullock cart races in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat during this period.

The bench, citing points of law raised in a clutch of appeals against the January 7 notification, issued notices to Centre, Tamil Nadu and other states, seeking their replies in four weeks. It turned down the submission by the counsel for the Tamil Nadu government that prohibition on Jallikattu “will be creating a dent in culture”.

In Tamil Nadu, protests erupted in villages near Madurai after the Supreme Court stayed the Centre’s notification. Roads connecting Alanganallur and Palamedu were blocked by protesters.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider bringing an ordinance to allow Jallikattu during the Pongal harvest festival.

Reminding the Prime Minister that the Pongal festival begins on January 14, Jayalalithaa said it is very important that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu be respected since they have deep attachment to the conduct of Jallikattu.

Representing the Centre, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi sought to defend the notification by arguing that the apex court had not totally prohibited the participation of bulls in Jallikattu but only desired that care is taken so that bulls are not treated with cruelty.

“We perceive the (Animal Welfare) Board and others have really not approached the court for protection of their fundamental rights, but the rights of animals in the constitutional and statutory framework,” the bench said.

While the Attorney General argued that Jallikattu is not like bull fighting in Spain and that conditions have been provided in the notification so that cruelty to participating animals is avoided, the bench noted that the real issue should be at what stage can it be made sure that harm to animals is completely avoided.

Jallikattu on in Andhra, TN despite SC ban

The Times of India, Jan 17 2016

What SC ban? Jallikattu on in Andhra, TN 

Thousands of villagers in Chittoor district of Andhra and some 60 “tamers“ in a village in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, participated in jallikattu on Saturday despite the Supreme Court ban. Andhra police, who had issued notice to the organisers, were mere spectators as revellers chased bulls in half a dozen villages. They said it was just a “cattle festival where animals were decorated“. 

Anbil village defies SC order, hosts jallikattu

The Times of India, Jan 17, 2016

K Sambath Kumar

Tamil Nadu village defies SC order, hosts jallikattu with 65 bulls

Defying a Supreme Court ban, Anbil village near Lalgudi in Trichy district organized a jallikattu morning with 65 bulls and 40 tamers. The nearest police station, about 10 km away, turned a blind eye as villagers gathered in the square called MariammanThidal, and cheered the participants as they tried to "tame" the bulls. The event is said to have started at 10am and went on until noon. The village has been organizing the bull sport for more than three decades. The bulls were brought from several neighbouring villagers and kept ready a couple of days ahead of the event. About 600 villagers gathered at the venue where the event was organized by village heads

November 2016: Why cruelty to animals: SC to Centre

The Hindu, November 10, 2016

Why import a Roman-type gladiator sport, asks SC

The Bench said even if argument was that Jallikattu was a "sport," it was a "cruel" sport and cruelty to animals was prohibited by the law. Asking why bulls should be made to suffer for the entertainment of humans, the Supreme Court has pulled up the Centre for trying to “import a Roman-type gladiator sport” despite a judgment clearly banning Jallikattu as a cruelty and crime to animals.

“Can bulls be contemplated for entertainment of human mind? Bulls are supposed to rest, why should they race,” a Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Rohinton Nariman tested the legality of the Centre’s January 7 notification permitting Jallikattu.

Cruel sport

The Bench said even if argument was that Jallikattu was a “sport,” it was a “cruel” sport and cruelty to animals was prohibited by the law.

When senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, for Tamil Nadu, said when humans ran marathons, why could not bulls be part of a sport.

“Humans have free will, bulls are forced into it,” Justice Misra replied.

The court called for compassion to animals, saying it was our constitutional obligation, while posting the matter for further hearing on November 16.

In defence of Jallikattu, the Tamil Nadu government had highlighted how there was nothing wrong in farmers practising Jallikattu in the semi-arid regions of the State if the Spanish Senate could in 2013 declare the “far more cruel” sport of bull-fighting a cultural heritage.

The Supreme Court had on January 12 stayed the January 7 notification on a challenge from NGOs like Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals India and Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations.

The notification by the Ministry of Environment and Forests had allowed the exhibition and use of bulls as performing animals for Jallikattu and bullock-cart races despite an express ban from the apex court in a judgment in 2014.

In its turn, the NDA government too had invoked tales from the Mahabharata to urge the Supreme Court to lift its ban on the “ancient sport” of Jallikattu, arguing that it was good for maintaining bio-diversity.

The Ministry claimed that Jallikattu “encourages breeding of indigenous bulls.”

The Centre had toed Tamil Nadu’s line that Jallikattu was not mere organised entertainment but an “age-old tradition practised for time immemorial.”

“You say that Jallikattu is an age-old tradition, so was child marriage until it was declared a crime,” Justice Misra had retorted then.

The court had said it was not here to consider the nuances of practices and tradition but to look into the constitutionality of the January 7 notification.

The 2014 Supreme Court judgment had termed Jallikattu “inherently cruel” and specifically held that no regulations or guidelines should be allowed to dilute or defeat the spirit of a welfare legislation like Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and constitutional principles. If so, the Supreme Court should strike them down without hesitation.

The judgment had already laid down that a court’s duty under the doctrine of parents patriae was to take care of the rights of animals, since they were unable to take care of themselves as against humans.

The judgment had classified the bull as a draught animal not meant for running but sedate walking under the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965.

Nov 2016/ Supreme Court dismisses review petition

Jallikattu ban: SC dismisses T.N. plea DECEMBER 02, 2016, The Hindu

In a blow to the farmers community in Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a review petition filed by the State to review a 2014 apex court judgment banning Jallikattu.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Rohinton Nariman said the very act of "taming a bull" to perform in an event runs counter to the concept of welfare of the animal, which is the basic foundation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.

The State, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, had countered that Jallikattu was not cruelty and was defined as an act of "taming" of bulls as per a 2009 State law enacted to "regulate" the event.

"The 2009 Act was introduced to stop any kind of torture. Taming a bull is not torture. You cannot ban Jallikattu just because there was torture long ago. It is like a bank stopping all loans just because somebody had cheated it once long ago," Mr. Naphade submitted.

Appearing for the Animal Welfare Board of India, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, countered that "festivals cannot celebrate cruelty". He argued that the 2009 State law was "repugnant" to the 1960 Central law.

Mr. Naphade said the 1960 Act had no power over the State law and it was the prerogative of Tamil Nadu under Entries 14 and 15 of the State List to preserve and care for its own livestock.

But the Bench agreed with Mr. Singhvi that there was indeed a "head-long collision" between the 1960 Act and the Tamil Nadu law of 2009 on what constitutes 'cruelty'.

"There is a direct collision between the two enactments in as much as one stands for the welfare of animals (1960 Act) and the other (2009 Tamil Nadu law) makes bulls a participant in an event meant for the inferior pleasure of man," the Supreme Court concluded.

Taming of bulls

The court observed in its order that it was "inconceivable" that a bull, a domestic animal, should be tamed for entertainment's sake.

The court threw out Tamil Nadu's argument that the ban affected the fundamental right to religion enshrined under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.

Speaking for the Bench, Justice Misra said it was "unfathomable" why the State has contrived a connection between Jallikattu — an event — and the right to religious freedom.

"How does Article 25 come in here? Jallikattu is not a religious event. You are defaming the framers of the Constitution by linking Jallikattu to Article 25," Justice Misra addressed Mr. Naphade.

"But every festival has a religious base. I cannot think of any festival which has not originated from a religion... Diwali is also on the same footing," Mr. Naphade countered.

In its order, the Bench said Jallikattu was an "event" meant for the sheer entertainment of man at the expense of the animal and has nothing to do with religious freedom.

Earlier, Mr. Naphade argued that what was banned under law was "paid entertainment" and not a socio-cultural event with a religious association like Jallikattu, which is organised by the farming community of the State.

"If Jallikattu is banned for being paid entertainment, then why don't you ban horse racing too... How are you permitting horse racing?" Mr. Naphade argued.

The 2014 Supreme Court had banned Jallikattu after declaring it to be an act of "inherent cruelty".

In January this year, the Centre had tried to circumvent the court ban by issuing a notification introducing bulls into the list of 'performing animals'. Environmental activists approached the SC, arguing that the notification was a bid to revive Jallikattu.

Touching on the notification, the Bench observed in its order that the validity of the notification would be adjudged by the court in the parameters of the 1960 Act.

The future of the central notification looks bleak as the Bench has already observed that the 1960 Act is dedicated to "prevent unnecessary pain and suffering caused to animals".

"Prevention of cruelty to animals is the motto of the 1960 Act," Justice Misra observed

The economics

The Times of India Jan 11 2016

Sambath Kumar & Rachel Chitra

TNN

The name jallikattu comes from salli kassu (coins) that were tied to the bull's horns as prize money for the victor. Ironically , the sport is actually labour-intensive and a drain on financial resources.

While it takes much of a bull owner's income to raise these native breeds, he hardly stands to gain materially if his bull goes untamed, except the prizes worth a few thousands he collects. The same is the case for bull tamers. What fascinates the youth is the pride of owning a bull and being known as a valorous bull tamer.

“A bull that was untamed in the previous jallikattu is looked upon with high anticipation as an announcement is made over its ferocious nature. Wild cheers from the gathering when attempts are made to tame such bulls drive the bull tamer to risk his life,“ says Mettupatti Moorthy (31), who has been participating in this sport for ten years and has undergone four major surgeries after getting injured while taming bulls.

“While motorcycles are the costliest prizes so far, televisions, fridges, gold coins, cattle and household utensils too are given to successful bull tamers and bull owners,“ president of the Alanganallur Jallikattu Committee Sundarrajan said. For S Palani, a small-farmer from Palamedu in Madurai district, jallikattu is coming at the cost of his daughter's education.“I wanted to enroll my daughter in an engineering college because she got good grades,“ he said.

‘Jallikattu nurtures native breeds, ban threatens them’

Swaminathan Natarajan Jallikattu: Why India bullfighting ban 'threatens native breeds,' 19 July 2016, BBC

Native cattle breeds in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu face a fight for survival if a ban on "bull-taming" contests is not revoked, say supporters of the sport.

Jallikattu has been practised for thousands of years - unlike in Spain, the bull is not killed and the object is to pluck bundles of money or gold tied to the animal's sharpened horns.

Only native breeds are used in Jallikattu.

"In Tamil Nadu we used to have six native breeds. One breed called Alambadi has been officially declared extinct," says bull fighting supporter Balakumaran Somu. "This ban is going to kill other breeds as well."

'Bulls not pets'

Breeders say Jallikattu and bullock cart racing gave the region a healthy male-to-female ratio of native cattle.

Breeders say they can't afford to keep bulls as pets

"Jallikattu inspired people to hold onto their bulls. Farmers provided extra care for the animal since the bull represents the pride of their family and community. If the ban continues there will be no incentive to hold on to the bulls," says Karthikeyan Siva Senaapathy. He is among the few breeders of pure Kangayam cattle.

The Kangayam breed is native to western Tamil Nadu and used extensively in Jallikattu.

"We had over one million Kangayam bulls in 1990. The population has fallen to 15,000 now."

Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised state in India, with a well-established manufacturing and services sector. Due to the mechanisation of agriculture and transport, the economic rationale for owning a bull has declined.

Bullock carts are seen less and less these days in Tamil Nadu

Dairy farmers, too, are turning their back on native cattle and prefer high-yielding buffaloes and cross breeds. Most of the small dairy farmers own only cows and buy in the services of Jallikattu bulls.

"Among the young calves only the best is selected for Jallikattu. Others are castrated and used to plough farmland. This ensures only the best genes get passed on," Mr Senaapathy says.

"We used to have a cow-to-bull ratio of 4:1. But now it has gone to 8:1 and it is going to slip further due to this ban. Farmers can't afford to have big bulls as pets."

Welfare

Activists claim the removal of native stud bulls from villages will make farmers depend more on artificial insemination.

Usually, old bulls are sold off. But now younger and fitter bulls are being sold to meat traders.

Jallikattu contests used to be huge crowd pullers

Bullfighting arenas in Tamil Nadu were empty in 2016 for the first time

Alarmed by the surge in the number of bulls being killed for meat, a non-governmental animal rights organisation swung into action and bought more than 200 bulls.

"These bulls are not protected under any law. So, we couldn't stop them from being sold for slaughter. The only option to save these animals was to buy them," says S Nizamudeen, founder of Coimbatore Cattle Care.

He is planning to offer his bulls for stud services.

"None of the bulls I bought had any major injury or signs of torture. Many farmers are selling the bull because of the uncertainty." He favours the resumption of Jallikattu under strict guidelines.

P Rajasekaran, president of the Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Federation, agrees.

"If any individual is caught doing harm to a bull, catch him and prosecute him. We have no objection to it. But don't have a blanket ban."

Most of the bulls used in Jallikattu are owned by village temples - in other words by the community. These bulls can't be sold but the fear is they may not be replaced.

But animal rights activists argue the decline of native cattle began even before the ban, due to economic factors.

"Our primary concern is the welfare of the animals not the survival of the species," says Dr S Chinny Krishna, vice chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India. It functions under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the prime mover behind the ban.

"Bulls were domesticated thousands of years ago. They don't see humans as enemies."

He says large numbers of bulls are already being rescued and sheltered by various animal rights groups and they are ready to do more to rehabilitate them and to help breeding programmes.

"To suggest an animal has to endure a life of cruelty just to survive is an unacceptable proposition."

'I talk to my bulls'

References to bull fighting can be found in Tamil literature dating back 2,000 years. Bull fighters are celebrated in folklore. Tamil cinema often depicts bull taming as a mark of heroism.

A decade ago some satellite TV channels started broadcasting Jallikattu events live. This helped to revive interest in a slowly declining sport and unexpectedly brought in money.

Bull tamers in some places even won prizes. But the sport also attracted more scrutiny, eventually leading to the ban.

Pandian Ranjith says bulls are "valued members of the family"

Madurai-based bull owner and tamer Pandian Ranjith accuses animal rights groups of exaggerating the situation.

"I have been taming bulls for close to 20 years now. I have been injured many times. I have seen so many bull fighters suffer serious injuries. But I've never ever seen a bull being injured."

He argues a total ban offends communities who cherish a particular way of life - a family tradition he inherited from his father and grandfather.

"I am a tech graduate and work as a network support consultant. When I come home, I go straight to my bulls and talk to them before having my dinner. We treat the bulls as valued members of our family. We can't think of harming them."

Animal rights activists disagree. They point to bulls being given substances such as alcohol to disorient them.

They have also filmed instances when tails were twisted or bitten, or the animals jabbed with sharp instruments or sticks.

But Jallikattu supporters question why there is no action against horse racing or the conditions of temple elephants.

Meanwhile, the fate of native breeds remains uncertain.

No political party in Tamil Nadu favours a complete ban on the sport - so organisers hope to find a solution through political initiatives rather than a legal reprieve before next season.

Virumaandi: the bull

The Times of India Jan 11 2016

Rachel Chitra

Ramu, the jallikattu bull in the Tamil film Virumaandi was once abandoned by its owner, who went bankrupt following the ban on the sport. After changing hands, Ramu was headed for the slaughterhouse before he was providentially rescued by the Cattle Care Welfare Trust in Coimbatore.

Currently a resident of the Vellinviri Goshala along with 206 other Jallikattu bulls and 10 `rekhala' bull racers, Ramu and others will have a less sedate life with the lifting of the ban.Since his rescue from the slaughterhouse at Aviniyapuram in February , Ramu has been called Virumandi or the Avaniyapuram Kalai.

Twenty years old, Ramu is still a sight to behold and stands at an impressive 14 hands (1.42 m) and weighs 1,200kg. With his massive horns, the `karuppu mayil' (his coat colour) is still a raging tornado, says his caretak ers at Vellinviri. “He has a bad temper and does not let any strangers come near. He does not mind tossing up the boys just for fun,“ A Niza muddin, trust president, says.

Ramu was owned by V Santhosh from Virudhunagar who had to give the bull to Kannan in 2011. Kannan, who had the bull for another four years, could not sustain its maintenance and upkeep which can be between `3,500 and `5000 a month for feed alone.

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