Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Avenda Feb 2017
Avenda Feb 2017
If your idea of India is one of tails; stab and jab them with sickles,
spears, knives and sticks; cause
ancient temples thick with incense
and chanting masses worshiping them intense pain by yanking their
dimly lit deities covered with nose ropes; and punch them, jump
vermilion paste and crushed on them and drag them to the
marigolds, then Tamil Nadu is ground. In bullfights, the round ends
where your mental images will be when one of the frightened and
replaced by vivid memories. injured bulls manages to flee or is
Occupying a long stretch of the Bay killed.Participants and spectators are
of Bengal coastline known as the also at risk. From 2010 to 2014,
Coromandel Coast, India's media outlets reported that there
southernmost state is dominated by were some 1,100 human injuries and
a rich cultural and religious heritage 17 deaths caused by jallikattu-style
that touches every aspect of life. events, including the death of a
Ruled predominantly by the child. The actual number is probably
powerful Chola, Pallava, and higher since many injuries likely
Pandyan dynasties, Dravidian werent reported in the news.
culture flourished for more than
A brief history
1,000 years, developing a unique Legal grounds based on
political and social hierarchy, and an Jallikattu has been in a traditional practice since 400-100 B.C. and was which PETAs actions for
architectural temple style that has traditionally a part of finding a strong groom. The person who successfully
come to typify the south. In spite of the ban gained
tamed the bull would get to marry the maiden. The sport was played by the
globalization and the political ancient Mayor or Yadava in the ancient Tamil country and later evolved to be a momentum
dominance of the north, Tamil Nadu sport played to display their strength and to win prize money. The customary
has retained its fervent nationalist sport is played during Pongal as a way to include Lord Muniswara. The PETA claims to target all cruelty to
sensibility -- an almost zealous pride Adhichanallur excavations of Iron Age artefacts showed many links to the animals, not just jallikattu. A 7 July
in Tamil language and literature, and olden culture, like one of them is the Jallikattu, even the Indus Valley 2011 notification in The Gazette of
in its delicious and varied cuisines. Civilization shows a stone carved art depicting a scene from jallikattu. India made using bulls as
Out of various traditional spectacle, performing animals illegal. This
one which is quite a famous one or applies to jallikattu, kambala, bull
the infamous one, attracting tourists Why did PETA create a stir by trying to put an end to an age races, bullfights and other uses of
and now debates, protests and media bulls for performances.
attention is the Jallikattu(or
old tradition?
In its 7th May 2014 judgement, the
sallikkattu), also known as eru Honourable Supreme Court
thazhuvuthal and manju virattu. In People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA )
confirmed this ban on the use of
this Bos Indicus bull, commonly of is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led bulls for performances. The court
the Kangayam breed, is released by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A nonprofit corporation with also ruled that cruelty is inherent in
into a crowd of people and multiple 300 employees, it claims that it has 3 million members and supporters (5 these events, as bulls are not
human participants attempt to grab million in total) and is the largest animal rights group in the world. Its slogan is anatomically suited to them. It
the large hump of the bull with both "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or observed that forcing bulls to
arms and hang on to it while the bull abuse in any other way." participate, subjects them to
attempts to escape. Participants hold unnecessary pain and suffering, so it
the hump for as long as possible, As per PETA, Jallikattu exploits bulls natural nervousness as prey animals by ruled that such races are not
attempting to bring the bull to a deliberately placing them in a terrifying situation in which they are forced to permitted by law.
stop. In some cases, participants run away from those they perceive as predators. As PETA India has
must ride long enough to remove documented in Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)authorised Jallikattu, bull races and other
flags on the bull's horns. Jallikattu is inspections, the bulls become so frightened by the mob of men who participate similar events also violate the
typically practiced in the Indian that they slip, fall, run into barriers and traffic and even jump off cliffs in Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
state of Tamil Nadu as a part of their desperate attempts to escape frequently leading to broken bones or (PCA) Act, 1960. This means the
Pongal celebrations on Mattu death.As can be seen in the documentation, jallikattu participants purposely causing of unnecessary suffering to
Pongal day. disorient the bulls by forcing them to consume alcohol; twist and bite their bulls which is inherent in these
events has been illegal for 56 years.
2
of motor pumps, tractors and lakes, rivers and wild life, and to increased incentive to sell their bulls these bulls and that keep the animals
mechanised agriculture. If the sport have compassion for living to slaughter.The Times of India in their lives without the cruelty
is banned, it would be the death creatures.Section 42 of the 7 May quoted Dhana Kumar, a resident of thats been deemed unacceptable by
knell of native cattle species in 2014 Supreme Court judgement Manickampatti near Palamedu in the Supreme Court.PETA has
Tamil Nadu.The people will not says, The Statement of Objects and Madurai district, as saying, I have consistently argued how it is not
only lose their breeds but also our Reasons of the TNRJ Act refers to two children, but I love my bull possible to completely eradicate the
self-sufficiency in milk production ancient culture and tradition and Karuppasamy more. I have caned animal cruelty without the ban. The
does not state that it has any my children, but not my bull. elements of brutality can range from
as well as promotion of organic 15 August 2016 (Vol III - Issue 4)
religious significance. Even the Usually the jallikattu bulls are bulls being doped with strong
farming. If locals lose their breeds
ancient culture and tradition do not pledged to God and we consider liqueur and other substance to them
and import foreign breeds, support the conduct of Jallikattu or them sacred. If the bulls are being hit with sharp object to create
multinational commercial Bullock cart race, in the form in considered sacred, surely selling anger, their tails being bent to create
which they are being conducted at them to slaughter shouldnt even be p a i n a n d a n g e r P e o p l e w h o
present. Welfare and the well-being considered.Slaughter isnt the only c o n s u m e d a l c o h o l o r d r u g s
of the bull is Tamil culture and suffering that the bulls face. There participate in the event without any
tradition, they do not approve of are many different types of cruelty, decorum, thus manhandling the
infliction of any pain or suffering on and theyre all wrong to commit. creatures.
the bulls, on the other hand, Tamil However, although they shouldnt
tradition and culture are to worship be, bulls do end up at the Legal grounds based on
the bull and the bull is always slaughterhouse when they are
considered as the vehicle of Lord injured in training or during which PETAs actions for
Shiva. Yeru Thazhuvu, in Tamil jallikattu which happens often or the ban gained
companies will dominate the dairy tradition, is to embrace bulls and not when theyre deemed no longer momentum
industry in India. The livelihood of overpowering the bull, to show useful. Bulls have also died during
millions in rural India is at stake human bravery. It concluded, the events themselves, including this
Jallikattu or the bullock cart race, one who ran directly into a bus in
here.People who want a ban on
as practised now, has never been the his panic.To protesters claiming that
jallikattu are far removed from tradition or culture of Tamil banning Jallikattu will eliminate
village life and do not know how Nadu.Section 43 of the same native breeds of cattle, PETA argued
this chain works.The Supreme Court judgement reads, PCA Act, a that Cattle breeds in India have been
and the Government of India needs welfare legislation, in our view, changing for many years because of
to look at the big picture behind over-shadows or overrides the so- a variety of factors, even during the
Editor Speak
jallikattu. The Convention on called tradition and culture. decades when jallikattu was
Biological Diversity (CBD) supports Jallikattu and Bullock cart races, the allowed, so to claim this change is
traditional practices to keep the manner in which they are primarily a result of banning Regardless of the outcome of this
chain intact and thus enable conducted, have no support of Tamil jallikattu is preposterous. Cattle agitation, the agrarian crisis and
conservation of native breeds. As an tradition or culture. Assuming, it has breeds are largely manipulated by farmer suicides in Tamil Nadus
ancient nation with an ancient been in vogue for quite some time, humans to suit their own needs delta districts will continue to
practice going back millennia, in our view, the same should give such as increased milk production. unfold. Before the month of
jallikattu should be preserved. There way to the welfare legislation, like Changes in breed dont mean the Chithirai (April-May) is through,
is no torture of any animal of any the PCA Act which has been enacted e x t i n c t i o n o f a s p e c i e s . and the jallikattu season comes to an
sort that takes place during the sport to prevent infliction of unnecessary Domesticated cattle are not at risk of end, there will not be enough water
pain or suffering on animals and being on the endangered species to drink, leave alone to give the
and the evidence of this can be seen
confer duties and obligations on list.It is said by those who make this Kangeyam bull its daily bath. The
from live media telecasts. The time persons in-charge of animals.There argument that stud bulls are reared bull may be the symbol of Tamil
a bull spends engaged in the sport is was also a group who tried by people for jallikattu. The ones agrarian culture. But the real
less than 30 seconds. If required, reasoning against the ban by who win jallikattu are in greater backbone of that culture is the
rules can be implemented to claiming that if the bulls were not demand for impregnating cows. poromboke or commons the
enhance the safety of the animals used, they shall be send to slaughter- However, an end to jallikattu does meichal (grazing) poromboke and
and men if required. India has to which The Indian Express not stop bulls from being used for the wetlands. The wholesale
already lost many cattle breeds and reported in a 12 January article titled this purpose. Its said that small takeover of these commons needs to
it cant afford to lose any more. Explained: In Jallikattu, Questions farmers cant afford to keep stud be countered far more vigorously
of Tradition and Cruelty to Animals bulls, so each village has a common and over a far longer duration if we
that no tickets are sold for Jallikattu temple bull who is used for stand any chance of making it
Arguments for the or bullock-cart races. It further impregnating the cows of the through the remaining century.The
states, Jallikattu events do not offer village. However, since theres erosion of the commons mirrors the
ban of Jallikattu any major monetary benefits, and essentially no monetary benefit from erosion of the cultures of the
prizes are mostly a dhoti, towel, jallikattu, this can still continue. In poromboke, by the entry of
betel leaves, bananas and token cash addition, a veterinarian would be commercialisation and industry.
Countless Tamilian PETA India that is rarely more than Rs 101 able to inform villagers which bull is When seen in the context of rampant
supporters are against jallikattu and on a silver plate. Mixer-grinders, healthy much better than the industrialisation, the decimation of
are saddened by those who call refrigerators and furniture have been outcome of a jallikattu event could. native breeds of cattle, poultry and
harming bulls Tamil culture. added to the list of prizes at some Furthermore, while some bulls are crops, the jallikattu ban raises flags
Indias culture is one of kindness, events over the last few years.If used for jallikattu, others are used as about the robustness and depth of
not cruelty. Article 51A(g) of the theres essentially no monetary draught animals in transport and such single-species, charismatic
Indian Constitution makes it the benefit to the farmer and no tickets farming a practice which could megafauna conservation measures.
mandate of every Indian citizen to are sold, then the farmers arent e a s i l y c o n t i n u e w i t h o u t The tragedy is that despite having
protect and improve the natural financially worse off with a ban on jallikattu.The community can come the undivided attention of the world
environment including forests, jallikattu and should have no up with ways that genuinely honour media, the opponents of the ban
4
Current Scenario
News Headlines
Mukherjee's assent and 36 Injured In
thanked Prime Minister Jallikattu Event At
Amid continuing protests over Narendra Modi for his
Jallikattu ban across the state, the support in enabling the bull Avanipuram
Tamil Nadu Assembly had on taming sport to 15
be August
held in
2016 (Vol
FebIII - Issue
06: 4)
Thirty-six people
January 23 unanimously passed an the state.
amendment bill, clearing the path
Supreme Court Slams were injured, one of them
seriously, in a Jallikattu
for conducting Jallikattu without Tamil Nadu On Jallikattu event held at Avanipuram in
any hindrance. Tamil Nadu Chief Protests, But No Stay On the district amid high
Minister O Panneerselvam on Petition A
security on Sunday in which
February 1 said the Bill to replace New Law 'Misadventure', Says more than 900 bulls were
an ordinance for the conduct of used, police said.All the
Jallikattu had received President Jan 31: Tamil Nadu's recent law to bring
Madras High Court
injured were being treated at
Pranab Mukherjee's assent and back Jallikattu bypassing a Supreme Dismissing Plea the medical camp put up
thanked Prime Minister Narendra Court ban was spared today but the top near the venue, police
Modi for his support in enabling the court ripped into the state over the
Seeking PETA Ba
said.More than 700 bull-
massive protests that forced tamers participated in the
extraordinary measures to restore the Feb 03 : The Madras High events, which were
ancient bull-taming tradition."Law and Court has dismissed a witnessed by thousands of
order situation is the primacy in a Public Interest Litigation spectators.
civilised society. Convey this to your (PIL) seeking a ban on
executive to maintain law and order. We PETA, holding the plea was
passed a stay order one year ago. Why 'a misadventure' filed for Reintroduce
t h e s e p ro t e s t s n o w ? " t h e c o u r t publicity against the
questioned the Tamil Nadu government, b a c k d ro p o f J a l l i k a t t u Kambala? First Say
referring to the massive protests on the protesters demanding a ban It Right, Insists
Marina Beach in Chennai and other on the animal rights
parts of the state. advocacy group. 15 August 2016 (Vol Siddaramaiah
III - Issue 4)
"We find this a misadventure Feb 07: After the bull-
only for publicity sake, given taming sport Jallikattu was
Jallikattu Bill Receives the current social context on permitted in neighbouring
account of the role of PETA
President Pranab vis-a-vis the Jallikattu issue.
Tamil Nadu through an
e x e c u t i v e o r d e r, t h e
Mukherjee's Assent This petition is dismissed," Karnataka legislature is
the first bench, comprising trying to bring back the
bull taming sport to be held in the Feb 01 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan
state.The Bill had been 'reserved' for buffalo-racing sport,
Panneerselvam today said the Bill to Kaul and Justice M Sundar Kambala. And the chief
the President's assent by Governor replace an ordinance for the conduct of said.
Ch Vidyasagar Rao and it "has minister's first challenge is
Jallikattu has received President Pranab making sure people say it
received the Hon'ble President's
assent on 31.1.2017," he said. right.