How Jallikattu has become a fight for Tamil nationalism and culture

For the third year, Jallikattu, the traditional Tamil bull wrangling sport, has been banned in the state. Though the people of the state have constantly fought in court or media panels for the ban to be lifted, the year 2017 is different as the general public has rallied behind the cause to save Tamil tradition.

Jallikattu, or Yeruthazuvuthal, has been part of Tamil culture for more than 2,500 years and this is historically documented in cave paintings, murals and Tamil Sanga period literature.

The sport, where a wrangler faces the bull, has been the epitome of bravery as it is said to elevate the wrangler and his village to utmost glory.

Of the 33 places where Jallikattu takes place presently, Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur are the most famous and only indigenous breeds of the animals in the province are used. Kaangeyam and Pulikulam are the most famous breeds used in the sport for their amazing stamina and machismo.

After the ban in 2014, hanging their hopes on the words of political leaders, Jallikattu enthusiasts waited every year, with all preparations for the festival, for the ban to be lifted.

Unfortunately, the same politicians had brought trouble for the sport. In 2011, Jairam Ramesh, then environment minister, banned Jallikattu, saying that bulls can't be used as performing animals.

The state Congress party and the Centre are still trying to control the damage caused by the move, but Ramesh stands by his words.

The case is the same with the BJP. Though the party on the whole has extended its support for Jallikattu, Maneka Gandhi, Union women and child development minister, claimed that most people in Tamil Nadu were against the sport and that it was a western concept.

On January 8, 2016, the central government under environment minister Prakash Javadekar passed an order exempting bulls from the list of performing animals, thus reversing the ban. But that remained so only for six days, as the Supreme Court once again upheld the ban on January 14, Pongal day, stating that the Animal Welfare Board of India chairperson was not consulted before the government announced the decision. Obviously, this caused trouble for the state BJP.

Over the years, for the sake of votes, many parties in the state have taken on the issue, only during Pongal season, with various protests.

But to everyone's surprise, this year has seen a major uproar, by not just politicians but the general public as well, especially college students and youths from urban areas.

On January 8, a huge protest by thousands of volunteers was held at Chennai Marina beach. The crowd was organised via Facebook and the slogans they raised were "save Tamil Nadu farmers" and "wedojallikattu".

This crowd was unlike the crowd drawn by politicians, as it was well-informed about the situation in the state. ''It's basically our identity and some are looking at it like abuse. Let me make it clear: it is not animal abuse. There is a minute difference between abuse and sport. When a person is hurt in a sport like cricket, you don't call it abuse. Is it because it's a foreign sport?" questions Anjana from Chennai.

She claimed that being a Tamilian, she wanted the government to authorise the sport and endorse it as a Tamil tradition.

The protesters are against PETA over its part in bringing the ban. Many claim that PETA worked as a tool to bring the ban to decimate indigenous breeds which produce a form of milk called A2, which is claimed to contain A2 beta casein, which is much better for consumption than A1 milk variety.

On the other hand, animal enthusiasts have brought in the argument that if Jallikattu can be allowed as a tradition, then "Sati" (burning of widows) and "child marriage" can be allowed as well.

Santhana Lakshmi, a programmer from IBM, said people are confused. ''Sati and Jallikattu are different and it is stupid to compare them. Women were forced to commit Sati while Jallikattu is a tradition. These bulls are specifically bred for the sport. From 80 indigenous breeds, it has come down to 36."

Lakshmi wanted to make it clear that Jallikattu is the only way to save indigenous breeds of bulls, as neither the state nor Centre seems to have any plans for protecting the animals from getting extinct.

It is unfortunate to know that an animal rights activist even claimed that the primary concern is the welfare of animals and not the survival of the species.

Another argument relates to the disobedience of the Supreme Court order. One Ishaq explains: "Just a few months back, the Supreme Court ordered Karnataka to release Cauvery water for the struggling farmers of Tamil Nadu. But did they obey it? Many farmers in that state had to suffer. A lot of distress and chaos erupted in the state. They are only fighting for water but we are fighting for our identity."

After a spate of protests over issues such as Cauvery water, protection of Tamil fishermen and now Jallikattu, the people of Tamil Nadu have started believing that Tamil culture and heritage is not being respected and this has culminated in the court's ban on the sport being defied.

It has become clear now that the state supports Jallikattu and the only way forward for the Centre is to bring in an ordinance and regulate the sport.

Also read: How music is being used to protest Jallikattu ban in Tamil Nadu