Here are some Interesting facts about Controversial and Traditional Bull Taming Sport of Tamil Nadu called Jallikattu. Read about the sport and why it was banned. Latest news and updates about this ancient sport.
10 Facts About Jallikattu You Should Know
1. Jallikattu is an ancient bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu. It’s a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.
2. Term Jallikattu is derived from the calli kacu (coins) and kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money.
3. Jalllikattu is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival. It has often been called as one of the oldest blood sport which some suggests had been played well before 1000 BC.
4. There are variants of this game. These include vaṭi viraṭṭu where a bull being released from an enclosure need to be held on to for a predetermined distance or time to win the prize, vēli viraṭṭu where a bull is released in an open ground with players trying to tame the animal and vaṭam manjuviraṭṭu where a bull is tied to a 50-foot-long rope (15 m) and a team of players attempt to subdue the bull within a specific time.
5. It is controversial because the sport often results in major injuries and deaths
6. Reportedly, from 2010 to 2014, there were approximately 1,100 injuries and 17 deaths as a result of Jallikattu events. Over 200 people have died from the blood sport over the past two decades.
7. PETA India has protested against the blood sport over the years for animal cruelty. Supreme Court Banned this traditional sport last year.
8. The top court had prohibited the use of bulls in ‘Jallikattu’ festivals, holding this practice to be an offence under the law.
9. In January 2016 Central Government lifted the ban on request of Tamil Nadu Government. This notification was challenged by PETA and Other Organization in Supreme Court.
10. Supreme court stayed the notification and banned the sport till hearing continues. This means Jallikattu can’t be organized in 2016.
These are some Facts about Ancient Sport of Tamil Nadu Jallikattu which can also be called a controversial sport. Matter is sub judicial and an interesting one where Center and State Government are on same page trying to uplift the ban.
