Jallikattu is an ancient and bizarre bull-wrestling sport that takes place in villages throughout Tamil Nadu every January to celebrate Pongal, a New Year’s festival that coincides with the ancient rice harvest. Though similar to and older than the Spanish running of the bulls, it’s bloodier. Instead of bulls getting killed, it’s the people. In previous years, as many as 20 young men have been fatally gored, and several hundred, including spectators, have been mauled, trampled or otherwise injured. The one held in Alanganallur, near Madurai, is the most popular. This sport is also known as “Manju Virattu”, meaning “chasing the bull”.
The Supreme Court today refused to permit ‘Jallikattu’. “We are not inclined to vacate the stay ordered by the court on the event,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said.
However, it allowed the ‘Rekla’ race involving bullock carts under the supervision of authorities. While prohibiting the event of ‘Jallikattu’, the Bench said any event, which involved cruelty to animal, would not be permitted.
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Posted in Alanganallur, Culture, India, Jallikattu, Madurai, Tamil, pongal
