Why the Supreme Court has done Tamil Nadu a service by banning Jallikattu
Come January and the Madurai “Veerans” (bravehearts) strut around with chests puffed up in pride and self adoration. For it is the season to “tame” the bull. But Jallikattu, Southern Tamil Nadu’s traditional sport, usually held around the harvest festival of Pongal, is anything but a taming of the bull – it is more like "frighten the bull and chase it"! This year, for the first time in decades, Jallikattu did not take place, thanks to the Supreme Court banning it on grounds of cruelty towards animals. Madurai “Veerans” are now left roaming around holding black flags and sporting tonsured heads in protest.
While most in the Southern districts might disagree, the Supreme Court has actually done Tamil Nadu a favour by banning this ridiculous sport being held in the name of tradition and culture. What logical reason could one otherwise ascribe to the manner in which these poor Jallikattu bulls are treated? They are reared as calves on a nutritious diet which includes alcohol so that the bulls get violent when enraged. Some bulls are also force-fed meat, against their nature. While being trained for the event, these bulls are constantly poked with sticks and harassed in order to anger them so that they may be more ferocious in the arena. At the event itself, their eyes are rubbed with chilli powder so that the bull, in terrible pain, may run amok, giving the audience some laughs and thrills. Participants who try to catch the bull often bite its tail, twist it painfully and run behind a terrified bull which can barely see.
True, this was part of Tamil culture and tradition over the centuries. Nobody disputes that. In fact, bull “taming” was also depicted on a coin, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Similarly, in the 1st century BC to 1st century AD, Roman culture and tradition included blood sports involving gladiators and wild animals in the arena. The more blood that was spilled, the louder the audiences roared. That culture and tradition do not exist today – blood lust is not considered amusing or civilised any longer. So why should Jallikattu continue?
If one enquired locally, it does not have much to do with culture or tradition any longer. Owners of bulls in Madurai will tell you that it is a purely commercial enterprise for them. They make pots of money every Pongal, especially if their bulls are aggressive and gladiatorial. These owners have a vested interest in torturing the animal to enrage it further.
Ask the Madurai “Veerans” and they will twirl their moustaches and puff up a little more before saying that there is perceived honour and bravery associated with the sport. Probe a little further and this too is about money, but more about women. Yes, women! Jallikattu is a stage for the young men to show off their “bravery” and land themselves a swooning young girl watching from the stands. Many marriages have taken place over the years in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu thanks to Jallikattu.
The Supreme Court and the Centre have not yielded, commendably so, despite protests in Tamil Nadu, the usual calls of Tamil culture and high emotion amongst the dramatic Southerners. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam wrote letters to the Centre pleading for Jallikattu to be allowed, promising the prime minister that all guidelines would be followed to the letter in the state. Prime Minister Modi maintained a stoic silence. A team of officials headed by the animal husbandry secretary was despatched to camp in Delhi and basically plead with officials at the Centre to allow Jallikattu to take place. Sorry, not happening, they were told.
And that is precisely why it is awesome that the Supreme Court and the Centre stood their ground and refused to give in to sentiment about Tamil culture despite state elections looming in 2016. Gladiators may have been cool in their time but they are simply sickening now. Jallikattu may have been fun in its heyday but now, animal rights cannot be ignored. A culture or a tradition that does more harm than good must certainly be cast aside.
As for the Madurai “Veerans” who are devastated about the women aspect, maybe this move will help them find better avenues to channelise their aggression in and attract the women. It might spur them to indulge in intellectual or artistic challenges and vie to lure the ladies. And who knows, maybe the young women of the South too just might decide that there is more to a man and bravery than chasing after a bull, holding on to it for dear life and getting kicked in the b***s in the process! To misquote Tagore, into that heaven of reason, my father, let my state awake!