At least seven persons have been gored to death and more than 300 people injured in various Jallikattu (bull taming) events held across Tamil Nadu since January 15 when this year’s traditional ritual commenced. These are the official reports coming from various places in the State while animal rights activists are of the view that the number of fatalities and casualties are more than double this figure.
“The details of persons succumbing to the injuries suffered during the bull taming do not get publicised. Once the Jallikattu event in a particular village is over, the attention of the fans turn to the new venues,” said Chinni Krishna, former vice-president of the Animal Welfare Board of India.
But Krishna had to make one serious revelation about the jallikkattu events held across Tamil Nadu. “There is high stakes gambling associated with the bull taming. The other day we saw the live pictures of a jallikkattu event in television channels where the announcer was making open declaration that the person who tames a particular bull would get Rs 10,000. But this is just the tip of the ice berg because we have powerful betting cartels behind the jallikkattu,” said Krishna.
The Jallikkattu events for 2018 has just begun. If the fatalities are of this magnitude, the toll may cross 100 since the events would be there throughout the summer, say animal rights activists. Most of them remain silent because of the ordinance promulgated by the Tamil Nadu Government to overcome the Supreme Court ban on Jallikkattu.
“The argument by the jallikkaatu lobby that the native breeds would become extinct if the event is not held is not true. There are many States in India where Jallikkattu events are not held but where the native breeds thrive,” pointed out Haran.
Another animal rights activist said that there were more unseen sides of the jallikkattu. “If you watch the bulls from close quarters , you can see the different colours pasted on their horns or body. The colour is a signal to the tamers that the particular bull should not be touched to ensure that the owner could fetch more price. This is only part of the game,” said the activist who does not want his name to be quoted for fear of reprisal from the betting lobby.
But Ramesh Sethuraman, a strong supporter of Jallikkaatu, said the fear associated with the event has been blown out of proportion.