Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Keeping Jallikattu alive” (January 24). Jallikattu has become a contentious issue wherein cattle protection and rights are inter-woven with human identity politics in India. Jallikattu is considered to be one of the oldest sports that is still practised in modern era.
Jallikattu means sport and not bull-taming. ‘Jalli’ means ‘coins’ and ‘kattu’ means tied. Controlling the ‘Jallikattu event’ and dampening the spirit of the people, who celebrate the festival like Pongal, cannot be justified.
Despite evidence that the game caused distress and pain to the animals, and even led to injuries and occasional fatalities, political leaders in the State and sections of the public claim that Jallikattu has cultural and religious significance for the Tamil community.
Animals are tortured and subjected to pain in the name of culture. They even stated that this resulted in the death of few cows and also detach and serious injury for many humans.