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Business News›News›Politics and Nation›Jallikattu: A contested sport injures dozens

Jallikattu: A contested sport injures dozens

A contested sport

A contested sport

Dozens of young men were injured during the traditional bull-wrestling festival in southern India that has attracted the ire of animal activists, officials said.

During the Jallikattu festival in Tamil Nadu bulls festooned with marigolds are released from pens and men try to grab their horns to win prizes such as scooters and whitegoods.

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Agencies
What is Jallikattu?

What is Jallikattu?

It is known as 'manju varattu', Jallikattu is a traditional sport where a bull, particularly of the Pulikulam or Kangayam breed, is released into a crowd of participants. Contenders then have to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both their arms and hold on as long as they can.

The bull, meanwhile, attempts to break free from the grip of the participants. The objective of the spectacle is to remove the maximum number of flags tied at the bull's horns while holding on to its hump. Those who come out of the arena victorious get awards ranging from gold coins to electronic appliances and even two-wheelers.

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Agencies
Alcohol & chilli powder

Alcohol & chilli powder

Critics say the bulls are fed alcohol and chilli powder is thrown in their faces to agitate them before the clash. Organisers insist the animals are not mistreated.

Nearly 500 bulls and a similar number of "tamers" were involved on the opening day of the festival in Madurai, said S. Natarajan, a government official from the city.

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Gored to death

Gored to death

This year's festivities will see almost double the number of bulls and competitors in the ring, Natarajan added.

In past years, competitors have been gored to death by bulls.

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In the political arena

In the political arena

India's Supreme Court outlawed Jallikattu in 2016 after a plea by animal rights groups but Tamil Nadu insisted Jallikattu was a crucial part of its culture and identity.

Growing tensions in the state capital Chennai, and other cities, led Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue an executive order that the centuries-old festival go ahead.

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