Banning Jallikattu Essay

Banning of Jallikattu
What is Jallikattu and its cultural significance?
Recently, Jallikattu was in the news, as to the Supreme Court has refused to lift the stay it had issued on banning of Jallikattu. Both the central and state governments were given notices by the Supreme Court as well.
To know about the ban on Jallikattu, first one has to be clear enough on the event called “Jallikattu.” It is a traditional sport event of the state Tamil Nadu. Significance of this sport stems from its being ancient; in fact, it is mentioned in the Sangam literature as Eru Thazhuvuthal. Even the English administrators had mentioned it as an important part of the Indian culture. The cultural significance of Jallikattu can be proven from the above mentioned
They are virile and they are preferred by the farmers to service the cows. The calves from such bulls are in much demand. But such bulls cnnot be afforded by the small farmers alone. To solve this, there is the temple bull, which services the cows of the whole village.
The stud bulls are selected from the event of Jallikattu. After the harvest season, the farmers take the bulls to the event and there, people take notice of the bulls. Whichever they find suitable and which wins in the event, they purchase those bulls. The bulls and calves brought in the event are also used for transportation and farming. The male calves from the stud bulls are kept for servicing the cows of the village.
Whereas, the regions where events like Jallikattu do not take place, the male calves are taken for slaughter. Jallikattu is a great relief for the male calves and the animal lovers. All the regions where such events do not take place, the male calves are born and within a week they are sold to get them butchered. Consequently, people find less male calves, which make the farmers go for artificial insemination of the cows.
How is Jallikattu
Since this issue involves lot of study and concentration, it cannot be decided immediately that whether it should be banned or should not banned. There are two parties –
• One that supports the event. It knows that this tradition has been continuing since ages. Moreover, this supporting side of Jallikattu states that it never hurts the bull; there are very rare injuries to the bull. The supporters give proof of taking proper care of the bull if the event continues, as bull is a precious animal for them. It supports their livelihood and helps them in getting further cattle through reproduction. Banning of the event would mean a great loss to the people of Tamil Nadu.
• The other one who is against the practice of Jallikattu. They have the view that the supporters of Jallikattu are getting money from it and they perpetrate violence on the poor animals. They show cruelty to the animals by involving them in such a sport. They even allege that the event holder or farmers give alcohol to the animals. This allegation is vehemently refuted by the