Bulls are raised affectionately by villagers: Tho Paramasivan

Tho Paramasivan, eminent writer, while talking to TOI's V Mayilvaganan asserted that jallikattu doesn't involve any torture. He slammed the initial decision to include bulls in the list of performing animals as ridiculous. Excerpts from the talks
The Centre has decided to exclude bulls from the list of performing animals. This removes hurdles to conduct jallikattu. What are your views?
It is the right thing.We have been saying for long that bull is neither a wild animal nor a performing animal. It was a ridiculous decision to include bulls in the list of performing animals. The Tamil Nadu government has already stated that bulls cannot be held as a wild animal or a performing animal. It is an animal that is raised affectionately by villagers.
But animal rights activists argue that bulls are tortured in the name of jallikattu?
There is no torture. There is no cruelty. In fact, the right term for jallikattu is "maadu anaithal'' (bull hugging). If you manage to cling to the hump for 30 feet in the arena you are declared a winner. It is a duel between the bull tamer and the bull. For him his hands are the only weapons and for the bull it's horns.
Animal rights activists say that tails of the bull are bitten in the vaadi vaasal?
They are doing that to drive the bulls into the arena. But it is not a free for all. Only the person who has raised the bull can touch the animal.
What is the cultural significance of jallikattu?
Jallikattu is intertwined with Tamil culture. It has been practised for more than 20 centuries. There are references to jallikattu in Kalitthogai, a Sangam-era literature. Every society with rich cultural heritage will have a sport of valour. Jallikattu is ours.
Is there a religious significance to jallikattu?
Jallikattu is actually held along with temple festivals. It is not an event in isolation. It is part of the festival. The first bull that is let out into the arena is the temple bull. Also jallikattu is not a event of one caste or community, but it is representative of the entire village where it is organised. People or any caste can get into the ring.