Locals In Andhra Defy Jallikattu Ban, Participate Despite Covid Curbs And Government's Warning

Tension prevailed at Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday after villagers protested against the police over the conduct of a traditional bull-taming match - a version of Tamil Nadu's jallikattu.

Hundreds of villagers participated in the bull-taming sport on Sunday, February 13, even as the administration had issued stern warnings against the organisers. Local activists allege that local authorities allowed the event under political pressure despite the state having strict Covid-19 curbs.

Madurai jallikattu

The event was organised at Karlagatta village in the Santipuram zone of Chittoor district. The village is located near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border in Andhra Pradesh. The event witnessed over a dozen participants, who also suffered injuries.

As the game began, a youngster identified as Vinayaka from Vaniyambadi of Tamil Nadu sustained injuries when he tried to catch hold of a bull rushing past. Some others also sustained injuries and they were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

Rumour of killing brought cops to the spot

The incident triggered rumours that a Tamil Nadu youth was killed by a bull. As the rumour went viral on social media, Kuppam Rural police rushed to hospital and after confirming that the youth was alive, reached the village and halted the sport.

"A visit to the hospital confirmed that the injured person sustained only abrasions. As there was no permission accorded for the conduct of Jallikattu, we went to the village and stopped it," Kuppam Rural CI Surya Mohan Rao said.

AP Photo/Arun Sankar K.

Villagers protested against the decision to stop the sport, leading to a heated argument. Police reportedly resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the mob. When contacted, CI Surya Mohan said police did not resort to lathi charge. Police are contemplating booking cases against organisers, sources said.

In January too, over 3,000 villagers had gathered at Gudupalle mandal headquarters of Kuppam Assembly constituency on Sunday to witness the frenzied ¡®Pasuvula Panduga¡¯, the Chittoor version of Tamil Nadu¡¯s Jallikattu.

Jallikattu and the ban

Jallikaatu could be referred to as bull taming event typically practiced in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day, third day of the four-day Pongal festival. The term 'jallikattu' is derived from the tamil words 'jalli' and 'kattu'. Jalli refers to gold or silver coins. Kattu means 'tied'.

Therefore, combined together it refers to coins being tied to the bulls' horns, which is considered the prize for whoever tames the bull. The bull that wins is used to service numerous cows preserving the native breed.

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It is renowned as an ancient 'sport', believed to have been practised some 2500 years ago. It is controversial because the sport often results in major injuries and even deaths.

Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014, but the Tamil Nadu and central governments stepped in to reverse the bar amid widespread protests in the state. The ban, many fans argued, was an assault on Tamil pride. Supporters also claim that jallikattu helps them identify strong bulls for breeding.