While it is early to comment on the poll scenario in Tamil Nadu, what is clear is that the Jallikattu issue will be used for vote-banks
Jallikattu, a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu, is in the news again, this time for political reasons. Even as the flood-ravaged State is battling to put back life back on track, it is fighting for resumption of the sport. With the Assembly election round the corner, it is but natural that political parties will use this issue for vote-bank politics
The sport, popular in the southern districts of the State, was banned by the Supreme Court last year. Coming under pressure from the Dravidian parties, the Centre too is planning to pave the way for resumption of this sport.
It is significant that this week, Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar backed this tradition and said, “Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, bullock cart race in Maharashtra, Kambala in Karnataka and some sort of race using bullocks in Punjab, have been traditionally and culturally practised for centuries. We want to respect that but also ensure that there should be no cruelty.”
The BJP seems to be doing some political calculation on the Jallikattu issue. The party believes that by promoting this sport, it can establish a foothold in the State. Tamil Nadu has been under the sway of the Dravidian parties since 1967 and these parties have projected Jallikattu as a distinct Tamil culture.
In August, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had prepared the ground when she requested the Prime Minister to lift the ban on Jallikattu. She kept up the pressure during the Winter Session, asking her Ministers to raise the issue in Parliament. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, Ms Jayalalithaa wrote, “...the Government of India may consider promulgating an Ordinance enabling the conduct of Jallikattu during Pongal. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urge you to have the Ordinance promulgated expeditiously.” She called for suitable amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960, specifically exempting Jallikattu along with other exemptions.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam did not lag behind. DMK leader MK Stalin blamed both the Centre and the State Government and warned them on December 17, in a Facebook posting, “If the Centre and the State don’t take steps for removing the ban and hold on Jallikattu during the coming Pongal festival, I myself will lead a struggle against this after seeking approval from DMK president M Karunanidhi.”
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramadoss too urged the Centre to pass an Ordinance, allowing Jallikattu to be conducted during next month’s Pongal festival, while his son Anbumani Ramadoss met Mr Modi and stressed on the issue. Other Dravidian parties like the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam have been demanding the resumption of the sport. Members of the People’s Welfare Front — Mr Vaiko’s Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India and Thirumavalavan-led Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi —have planned a protest in Madurai. The Congress has also joined the others. This chorus is mainly due to vote-bank politics.
Jallikattu is a sport, similar to the famous bullfight in Spain, which is watched by thousands of people cheering the man who tames the bull. However, unlike the Spanish bullfights, Jallikattu is not aimed to kill the bulls, but to tame them and take away the prize money tied to their horns.
Since 2007, animal welfare activists in India have demanded that the sport be banned for what they describe as massive cruelties to animals. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court, which held on May 7, 2014, “Forcing and pulling the bull by a nose rope into the narrow, closed enclosure or vadi vassal (entry point), subjecting it to all forms of torture, fear, pain and suffering by forcing it to go the arena and also over-powering it in the arena by bull tamers, are not for the well-being of the animal.”
The Animal Welfare Board of India had argued in the apex court about the cruel manner in which the bull-fight was conducted. The court also struck down a 2011 Tamil Nadu law regulating the conduct of Jallikattu . Recently, scores of celebrities, signed a petition, supporting the animal rights advocacy group. let’s see how the politics of this sport plays out in the coming weeks.