CHENNAI Rampant protests continued in Tamil Nadu over the week, with them intensifying on Thursday, where trains were blocked in Madurai and Salem, in a bid to boycott jallikattu. Dating back to thousands of centuries, its reference can be found in ancient Dravidian literature more than 2000 years old. “We carried out our campaign in favour of Jallikattu since 2013 and took it to the social media and to educational institutions”. This is the reason that Jallikattu has been banned altogether, and the court is refusing to even agree take a second look. However, close to 400-500 people turned up at the venue and chanted slogans in support of Jallikattu, on how it was a tradition worth saving, and the demand to ban PETA India.
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Modi has told Panneerselvam that he can not use an ordinance or executive order to remove the ban.
What Has Transpired Since The Ban?
But on 11 July 2011, the Ministry of Environment and Forests under Jairam Ramesh of the Congress banned the use of bulls as performing animals. “It should now go before the apex court citing the jallikattu law passed by the state government in 2009”. Some 15,000 gathered there, with protests spreading to other parts of the state too.
In fact, the state’s main opposition party, DMK, has laid the blame squarely on the ruling AIDMK government for not pressuring the center to issue an ordinance to allow the event, at least during the Pongal festival.
Tamil superstar, Rajinikanth is among the celebrities who will join Rahman in the protest to be held on Friday. They are also seeking a ban on the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which has antagonised the people for having anti-jallikaatu stand. Agriculture in Tamil Nadu is getting mechanised and farmers can not afford to keep bulls simply as pets. As the sport motivates them to hold on their bulls and take care of them.
“Bulls and cows have a special space in our Tamil culture”. Prizes are awarded to those who succeed in taming the bulls. The bullock cart race was to be organised on a proper track not exceeding 2 km in length.
‘Through Jallikattu the farmers are able to find the best bulls, which helps in breeding of native species’.
Before we start taking sides and pass a judgment, it is important to understand what the sport is all about and why it has come to be so controversial today.
-So will you ban cricket also?
‘What is the harm is Jallikattu? “Bulls are domesticated animals, not wild animals, and that is the larger picture one needs to see”, Balaji said. Pro-Jallikattu supporters say that little pain or suffering is caused to the animal.
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“Peta says it is only asking the people to follow the Indian Constitution that says that bulls can not be exhibited or trained, and that they are only following orders over this by the apex court”, Balaji said.
