Sir — This refers to the article, “Sport that has more politics than bulls” (December 31) by Kalyani Shankar. Taming a bull was applauded as an act of virility and valour in days of yore. However, today, this primitive sport cannot be perpetuated to cater to a degenerate popular culture. Therefore, it has to be shed as a worthless gory sport.
Jallikattu involves not just self-inflicted cruelty on man’s part, but also wilful cruelty to animals. Sometimes the bulls charge with greater ferocity under influence. It is a crying shame that the youngsters deem it necessary to prove their physical prowess by taming the bulls.
It is also unfortunate that politicians are using this issue for vote-banks. Many parties are clamouring for lifting the ban on the traditional sport, citing ‘emotional attachment’. Clearly, the move to lift the ban on Jallikattu is a step backwards.