Public want govt to pass ordinance on jallikattu, conduct event

MADURAI: Residents of Alanganallur, Avaniyapuram, and Palamedu in the district, where jallikattu events have been traditionally held for the past 400 years, have urged the state government to pass an ordinance to conduct the event, which was banned by the Supreme Court, last year.
The residents also urged the government to take steps to speed up hearing on the review petition filed against the order of the apex court dated May 7, 2014.The Supreme Court in its order last year had held that bulls cannot be used as performing animals for jallikattu events or bullock cart races in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country.
Some people consider bull-taming as an inseparable part of the temple festivals celebrated during Pongal (paddy harvesting season, which lasts till March in Tamil Nadu).
The sporting event, which used to take place across the state, was later restricted to 188 places by a notification from the ministry of environment and forests, after the event was challenged by animal activists. Following the court case, the events took place in just 30 places, including Alanganallur, Avaniyapuram and Palamedu here in the recent past.
"Jallikattu used to happen in as many as 700 places in Pudukottai. Last time, only 93 places were permitted. Now, we are frustrated to learn that no jallikattu will be held this year," said C Juli of Pudukottai, an organiser of the event in the district.
With just 10 days left for Pongal festivities, the villagers want the government to speed up action to ensure that jallikattu is held this time. To voice their demands, thousands of villagers are planning to hold a protest.
According to villagers, in case of violations during the event, the violators could be easily identified and they could be punished.
"Aggrieved over the Supreme Court order, the government and the Jallikattu Peravai (JP) filed review petitions. However, it is yet to be taken up for hearing. For the sake of the people, government should speed up the hearing," said P Rajasekaran, president of Jallikattu Peravai.
He further said although the matter is pending before the apex court, it was possible to conduct jallikkattu. "Government could do it by passing ordinance to uphold the people's sentiments," he said.
The Jallikattu Peravai is planning to hold a protest on January 7 in Madurai.