Why Jallikattu has set a dangerous precedent

The “success” of Jallikattu movement in Tamil Nadu has established one thing — people in power can't ignore the power of people. Similar movements are already brewing in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

But the success in Tamil Nadu also established two more things. Firstly, if there is public support the state (government) can ignore the Supreme Court and get its way. Secondly, the power of regional sentiment — it can bring all sections of the society under one umbrella.

What people saw in Tamil Nadu was nothing short of remarkable. The protests drew support from all sections, including international icons such as AR Rahman, Vishwanathan Anand and Tamil superstars Rajinikant and Kamal Hassan.

It has already inspired the neighbouring states. While the Karnataka government has already started putting pressure on the Centre to revoke its ban on the traditional kambala (buffalo race), Maharashtra has also demanded lifting of ban on bullock-cart racing in the state.

In Maharashtra, as expected, it was the Shiv Sena which first came up with the demand, declaring that a huge agitation will follow after the Budget session if the government fails to revive the bullock-cart racing. Even though chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has maintained silence on the issue, his cabinet colleague and animal husbandry minister Mahadev Jankar has indicated that the government is already taking legal opinion to decide the future course of action.

Both bullock-cart racing and Jallikattu were banned under the PCA Act (prevention of cruelty to animals).

But the question is whether such demands will stop at just bullock-cart racing and bull-taming? Last year, the MNS had defied the Supreme Court during the famous dahi handi celebrations by building a 40-ft high pyramid — twice the limit set by the court — and allowing minors to participate.

The court had taken the decision — which met with much resistance from people— after looking at the number of injuries, including permanent disabilities, and loss of lives during the dahi handi, a part of Janmashtami festivities. According to an estimate, every year around 300 people, mostly teenagers, get injured during dahi handi.

But despite all that the court order didn't go down well with people even as politicians jumped in to play the "Marathi manoos" card.

Another court order that wasn't received well by the people is the 10 pm-deadline on use of loudspeakers and musical bands. Political leaders believe that the guidelines have spoiled the excitement for festivals, especially during Ganapati and Navratri celebrations.

Police in the recent past have spent sleepless nights and gotten into numerous fights with political workers and "snaskriti rakshaks" to ensure that these guidelines are implemented .

But will they be able to do that now?

After Jallikattu, it's not very difficult to predict that every time the law enforcement agencies will try to implement any court guidelines during festivals, they will face resistance in the name of tradition. Of course, political parties will be more than happy to oblige the people taking a cue from Tamil Nadu.

In fact, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has already made a public speech on the eve of the late Bal Thackeray’s birth anniversary, where he said: "Jallikattu has shown the Tamil unity. Despite the court ruling going against Jallikattu, the entire state came together to bend the law. Marathis should also show similar unity."

With the BMC elections approaching, we can surely expect to hear these lines being reiterated, not just by Uddhav, but MNS’s Raj Thackeray as well.

Both these parties fear they are losing their grip on Mumbai because of lack of "Marathi unity" while the BJP, backed by north Indians, Rajasthani and Gujarati population, has strengthened its position in the city.

Interestingly, in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, where Hindi films rule (not Marathi) the hearts, the financial reins of the city are also not in the hands of the Marathi population. The Marathi culture and influence seem to be diminishing by the day because of the apathy of the political and working class in the city. So, it won't be very easy for political parties to whip up Jallikattu-like sentiments just by citing Tamil Nadu’s example.

In any case, it will be interesting to see how things play out in Maharashtra and other states, where political parties are expecting to cash in on people's sentiment. Watch this space.

Also read: Why Kamal Haasan's views are being taken so seriously on Jallikattu