Five people died in as many Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu events in Tamil Nadu. Madurai, Tiruchi, Sivagangai, Pudukottai and Karur districts – and this week’s dozens of injuries, however unfortunate, are no surprise. Ever since the event resumed in January 2017 after a three-year ban and massive agitation, participants and spectators alike have fallen victim to it. According to the Animal Welfare Board of India, there have been 43 deaths and thousands of injuries between 2008-14. So far, zero human casualties has remained an elusive goal, let alone the plight of the animal. The Supreme Court of India has reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions questioning the validity of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act 2017, Organizers of Jallikattu events should take note of the observation made by the Constitution Bench in late November, which heard arguments on the amendment, that the sport of Jallikattu cannot be brutal as such, but in the “form” in which it is organized in the state. being cruel Proponents of Jallikattu, who view the event as a sport, argue that the same logic applied to football or boxing, where the potential for injury is higher, should be applied to Jallikattu. Also, just as the occurrence of accidents does not trigger a demand to ban these two sporting activities, the same criteria should hold true for Jallikattu, which Justified in the name of culture, tradition and valor, But, what tends to be overlooked is that unlike Jallikattu, as in football or boxing, or even car racing, the entire sport is centered around human beings.
At the same time, more importance is being given to regulation and security. It is a matter of relief that the authorities have tightened the rules. In Madurai district, which has 21 locations, an online registration system allowed bull owners to choose only one of three high-profile locations – Avanipuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur. In Tiruchi, not more than 700 bulls can be released in each event. Of course, detailed guidelines on the duties and responsibilities of each stakeholder were issued by the state Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department in late December. Though quite broad, the rules should also contain stringent penal provisions. The authorities must focus on preventing deaths, at least among spectators, who must be behind impenetrable barricades. Also, the government should end the practice of fancy prizes like cars and motorcycles to attract the youth. After all, Jallikattu was originally meant to showcase strength and valor, and the rewards should not be seen as an incentive to ignore the risks to life and limb.