What is Jallikattu: Interesting facts about the bull taming sport

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu experienced a sort of 'Arab Spring' as thousands of youth rallied at the Marina beach and were all set to continue their protest in support of . Agitators rejected statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and the state braced for a shutdown tomorrow. Panneerselvam also assured the crowds of student and youths stationed at the beach that his government will take all steps to hold the traditional sport. But the appeal fell on deaf ears. What is Jallikattu:

• Jallikattu has been a cultural tradition in Tamil Nadu for close to 4,000 years. It is organised during the mid-January harvest festival, Pongal. In the blood sport, an enraged bull is unleashed —decorated in bright colours and with money tied around its horns into a crowd of people.
• The bull is chased by villagers. Their objective is to hold on to the animal for as long as possible in an effort to tame the animal and seize the money.
• In Jallikattu, a bull vaulter is expected to hang on to the animal’s hump for a stipulated distance or for a minimum of three jumps by the bull.
• Some calves are only reared to grow into strong bulls for taking part in Jallikattu. These animals also get special training at early age to not allow strangers to approach them.
• According to reports, around estimated 17 people were killed and over 1000 were injured during Jallikatu events between 2010 and 2014.

• The Supreme Court in May 2014 banned Jallikattu, saying that bulls cannot be used as performing animals including bullock-cart races.
• Since then, people have been urging the central government to take steps to allow the sport.
• The common complaint among the protest leaders was that the Supreme Court had insulted the Tamil culture by disallowing the sport.
• In Chennai, the demonstration began on Tuesday morning following the arrest of Jallikattu protesters in Madurai district’s Alanganallur town well known for conducting the sport.
• Thousands of youths who began their protest in Alanganallur on Monday were arrested a day later.
• Police housed the protesters — both men and women — at wedding halls. Angered by the arrests, villagers took to the streets.
• Protests demanding lifting of the ban on bull-taming sport 'jallikattu' have spread to beyond India with the Tamil diaspora in Sri Lanka, Britain and Australia holding demonstrations.

(With inputs from agencies)