Chennai, Jan 10 : No Pongal festivity in Tamil Nadu is complete without holding

the traditional bull taming sport of Jallikattu, that used to attract thousands of visitors

from various parts of the country and abroad.

And this year too, the government, amid the rapid increase in daily COVID cases, brought

smiles in the faces of bull tamers, by giving the nod to hold the traditional rural sport during

the Pongal festival, by following stringent COVID norms.



A day after Chief Minister M K Stalin held discussions with health care experts, top police

and other officials on imposing more restrictions in view of the spike in COVID cases, the

daily load of which has touched 13,000, a Government Order (GO) was issued today

allowing holding of Jallikattu in Madurai, restricting the spectators to 150 or 50 per cent of

the total seats–whichever is lower–and allowing only 300 bull tamers.

As per the GO, only 50 per cent of the total number of seats will be allowed or 150 persons

as audience, to ensure physical distancing norms.

Audience are also required to produce certificates for two COVID-19 vaccine doses and a

COVID-19 negative certificate, which has been made mandatory for the officials of all the

departments involved in the holding of the event.

All department officials and organisers should possess certificates for two COVID-19 vaccine

doses and COVID-19 negative certificates. “Those living in other towns / cities are advised to

watch the telecast and webstreaming of the jallikattu events,” the order said.

After obtaining prior permission from the State government, the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules, 2017 and the restrictions issued

by the State government to contain the spread of COVID-19 are also to be complied with.

Only the owner and the bull trainer will be allowed to take part in the event and by producing

two dose certificate and a negative certificate for gaining entry into the arena with the identity

cards issued to them by the district administration.

While registration for the entry along with the details of the bull, its owner and trainer have to

be made at least three days prior to the event, the GO said not more than 300 bull tamers

would be allowed in each of the jallikattu, manjuvirattu and vadamadu events.

From time immemorial, the traditional rural sport of Jallikattu (taming of bulls), which attracts thousands of people from different parts of the country and also from abroad, is synonymous

with the four-day long harvest festival in the state and will be held at Avinayapuram, Palamedu

and Alanganallur in Madurai.

For this sport of bravery, a specific breed of cattle is reared and the youths display their courage

by taming it.

The event could not be held for three successive years following a ban imposed by the Supreme Court due to objections raised by the Animal Welfare Board of India and other animal welfare organisations citing cruelty being caused to the bulls.

However, the famous Marina revolution in January 2017 prompted the State Government led by

the then Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to introduce a Bill in the State Assembly and it became

an Act after getting the Presidential Nod to hold Jallikattu.

Every year Alanganallur, Avinayapuram and Palemedu panchayat towns would be tastefully decked up for the annual sport, which symbolises the heroism, valour and courage of the youth.

The jallikattu bulls are not used for any agricultural purposes. They are mostly kept as a family tradition or as a status symbol by their owners.

The event has considerable historical significance and is ingrained as part of the cultural

tradition of Tamil Nadu as a sport which was popular among warriors since the “Sangam era”.

“This tradition is followed till now. It is inextricably linked to rural, agrarian customs and has

religious overtones, with families donating bulls to temples in fulfillment of vows”, one of

the bull owners said.(UNI)