Jallikattu celebration allowed during Pongal

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Tamil Nadu government has allowed the celebration of Jallikattu amid Pongal festival with new COVID guidelines.

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• Only 300 bull trainers are given permission to take part in Jallikattu, Manjuvirattu, and Vadamadu events.
• 150 bull racers are allowed to participate in erudhu vidum vizha (traditional bull races).
• All participants will undergo COVID test and those who will test negative only those will be allowed to participate in the festival.
• Only 50% of spectators will be allowed to view the event. All the guidelines of wearing mask, thermal screening and social distancing will be strictly followed.

Jallikattu and the controversy

Jallikattu, also known as ‘Eru Thazhuvuthal’ (‘Bull Embracing’) is a sport that has been played in southern Tamil Nadu during Pongal since the Sangam Period.

It is considered to be a bio-cultural sport because it helps to conserve native cattle breeds. But, fortunately or unfortunately, the Supreme Court of India banned Jallikattu on May 7, 2014, based on a plea by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

However with ‘Jallikattu uprising’ a peaceful protest by the people of Tamil Nadu forced the government of India to clear the ordinance proposed by the Tamil Nadu government. Hence an order was issued in January, 2017 as an attempt to preserve the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and ensure the survival and well-being of native breeds of bulls. Medical check-ups were made compulsory for both the participating men and the bull. Also guidelines on dos and don’ts were given to avoid any untoward happenings.

If the sport was permanently banned then the Pulikulam breed also may vanish gradually, a native of the Sivagangai district that is mainly used for Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. Indian Council of agriculture research(ICAR) has approved and registered Pulikulam breed as an indigenous breed with the accession number ’01 Pulikulam Tamil Nadu INDIA_CATTLE_1800PULIKUOLAM_03035’.

For the first time in 2019, insurance was also introduced to the tamers and the bulls but also to the spectators.

Thus, this game of Tamil Nadu bravery has helped the survival and betterment of the rare Pulikulam breed.