Madurai:
The traditional 'Jallikattu' or taming the bull festival is being held in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district today. However, this year the festival is dogged by legal hassles as the Madras High Court has recently stayed the centre's notification that bans the bulls from performing.
Thousands of people, including tourists, are expected to gather at the famous Alanganallur village to witness the traditional sport which is held as part of the Pongal festival.
The sport, because of its violent nature, is severely criticised by the animal rights activists, who have been campaigning for years to bring an end to this sport, saying that the event encourages cruelty and torture of animals.
Over a hundred people, including bull fighters, have reportedly been gored to death by the animals during the violent event in the past few years.
Activists claim that the bulls are made to perform after being intoxicated and traumatised to turn wild.
The big draw, according to them, is the sponsorship from the corporates, who reward the winner with gold and cash. This, they believe, has turned the event in a money making racket.
The villagers, who argue that the event has cultural and religious significance, are steadfast in their belief that 'Jallikattu' is an ancient sport of valour and say that banning it will bring an epidemic.
Finding itself pulled between the people and the Centre, the state government has passed the Jallikattu Regulations Act, arguing that banning the sport could disrupt law and order.
A few days ago, the Madras High Court stayed the Centre's notification and it has directed the state to strictly comply with the Supreme Court guidelines for the safety of public and the bulls.
The activists, who were seeking a permanent ban to the event, are disappointed. They, however, believe that this is just a temporary setback and hope for a permanent legal solution for this issue.
Thousands of people, including tourists, are expected to gather at the famous Alanganallur village to witness the traditional sport which is held as part of the Pongal festival.
The sport, because of its violent nature, is severely criticised by the animal rights activists, who have been campaigning for years to bring an end to this sport, saying that the event encourages cruelty and torture of animals.
Over a hundred people, including bull fighters, have reportedly been gored to death by the animals during the violent event in the past few years.
Activists claim that the bulls are made to perform after being intoxicated and traumatised to turn wild.
The big draw, according to them, is the sponsorship from the corporates, who reward the winner with gold and cash. This, they believe, has turned the event in a money making racket.
The villagers, who argue that the event has cultural and religious significance, are steadfast in their belief that 'Jallikattu' is an ancient sport of valour and say that banning it will bring an epidemic.
Finding itself pulled between the people and the Centre, the state government has passed the Jallikattu Regulations Act, arguing that banning the sport could disrupt law and order.
A few days ago, the Madras High Court stayed the Centre's notification and it has directed the state to strictly comply with the Supreme Court guidelines for the safety of public and the bulls.
The activists, who were seeking a permanent ban to the event, are disappointed. They, however, believe that this is just a temporary setback and hope for a permanent legal solution for this issue.
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