A leading Irish animal rights group on Tuesday announced plans to launch a Europe-wide campaign for a “tourism boycott” of India to protest against ‘Jallikattu,' describing it as “a cruel bull-abusing contact game.''
The campaign by the Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) would be called “Incredible Cruelty,” a play on the Ministry of Tourism's “Incredible India” campaign.
The group also plans to hold demonstrations outside Indian diplomatic missions across Europe to highlight the “cruel spectacle.”
“The ARAN has started contacting Indian officials, tourist agencies and others to inform them of our efforts to highlight the cruel spectacle in Ireland and across Europe with our advertisement which is a mock-up of the 'Incredible India' tourist ads,” its founder John Carmody told The Hindu.
He said he had written to Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai calling for a total ban on ‘Jallikattu.'
“We were aghast to learn that despite the Indian government's ban on the use of bulls as performing animals, the Madras High Court Bench gave permission for the cruel bull-abusing contact game Jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu,” he said in the letter pointing out that ‘Jallikattu' threatened India's image as a “beautiful country.”
“How can that image endure when a State government endorses such activity,'' the letter asked.
Mr. Carmody said it “beggars belief that this blatant cruelty to animals is taking place in India.''
“Until India puts an end to Jallikattu and holds true to its reputation as a nation that treats its animals with compassion, we have no choice but to run a campaign to alert potential tourists to India about the ‘Incredible Cruelty' to bulls taking place in your country and urge them to boycott Indian tourism until this cruel game is put to an end,” it warned.
Mr. Carmody said that ‘Jallikattu' was not only “cruel to animals but also posed a threat to public safety.”
A description of ‘Jallikattu' on the ARAN's website says: “Jallikattu is a cruel contact game in which terrified bulls are surrounded by hundreds of shouting men, are hit with fists, have their tails twisted and pulled – and some even snapped and broken – and are jumped on and wrestled to the ground. Men pounce on the backs of bulls, sometimes alone, sometimes together and attempt to wrestle him to the ground. There are reports that chilli powder is rubbed into the bulls' eyes, they are given alcohol and then have to undergo the trauma of being chased by mobs who try to overpower and bring them down.”
Keywords: jallikattu, bull taming sport, animal rights, India tourism
Bullish about Jallikattu 
Comments:
Sadly, the Madras High Court considers a barbaric and cruel event to be representative of Tamil culture on the grounds that the Jallikattu is "traditional". If "tradition" was followed in every country in the world, atrocities against people and animals would be the accepted norm. Our history books are full of the horrors of past "traditions".
Apparently it is only "animal rights activists" who object? Not true; the Jallikattu is attracting worldwide condemnation for the unbridled cruelty that is inflicted on bulls. It is disgraceful that in 2012 people are legally allowed to torture animals in this way. The Indian government's ban on the use of bulls as performing animals should not exclude the cruel bull-abusing Jallikattu, which threatens India's image as a beautiful country. Thousands of people are now prepared to boycott tourism to your country because of this.
"Avoiding harm to all creatures... this is true knowledge. All else is ignorance."
Bhagavad Gita
The announcement made by the Irish Animal Activist to boycott India tourism will be a severe setback for the tourism Industry. The blame is directly on the Supreme Court of India, the government of Tamil Nadu and the vested section of people who are adamant on this brutal game of death. Its also surprising to see international organisations like PETA and Blue Cross keep mum on this issue.
What can be more stupidity when government of Tamil Nadu invited the foreign tourists to watch the brutal sports.In a changing world, where Europe has seen the centuries old Bull fight has come to an end, Tamil Nadu government failed to catch the message. If the tourism in India has to revive, the Jallikattu has to come to an end. There are hundreds of tourist attractions in India of heritage importance. Nobody expects this should be affected due to one silly sports. Hope wisdom prevails on Tamil Nadu government.
I appreciate the effort by this Irish group but why are they not doing the same towards the Spanish Bullfighting? That is more terrible than Jallikattu if we look at the way the bulls are treated. I am not justifying Jallikattu but let Europe show sympathy to animals before they seek the same from other countries. Similar treatment needs to be shows to Canada for Seal clubbing, to Japan for Whale & Dolphin killing etc.
If bull fighting can be national sports in Spain...why cant jallikattu be there in India? Till the time animals are not killed, I suppose this tradition can stay...
Oh great, watch this space fill up today with my favourite non-argument: "You are also evil. Therefore, I am not evil."
Any kind of cruelty to animals has no place in any country of the globe.
It is surely time that the inhabitants have learned this from their
parents, teachers or friends. If not, those who fail to legislate
against cruelty to any animals will one day find themselves in a very
difficult position. Why do they not act now?
May those responsible for such cruelty and those who take part,
DIE as soon as possible. Such cruel people are not fit to be part of
this beautiful planet. I am boycotting India for holidays and also
boycotting goods from India until such deliberate and unnecessary
cruelty stops.. I notice that those who write on here are not allowed to be abusive but those who are abusive to the animals have no such restrictions put on them.You cannot prevent us from what we think though. And we think the most extreme abuse.
I myself don't support Jallikattu and would be happy if it is banned totally in India.But I can't take the protests of irish ARAN, and their calling for a 'boycott India tourism' campaign.It looks like a political move.Such similar sports are common in Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American countries (Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru)if they had made the same 'boycott tourism' call for those countries too then I would have accepted their version. WHY ONLY INDIA?
Do these Irish guys travel to Spain?
This is ONE more abominable attack on animal life that is perpetrated on the grounds of "culture and tradition." I am ashamed to be an Indian when my country, the land of Ahimsa, indulges in such insanity. I am saddened to read this on the Republic Day of India. Where is the constitution for the animals of Mother India?
Jallikatu is a matter of tradition and faith. Nobody has the right to tell me how to practice my faith. Boycotting goods and tourism is a matter of taste.
In Jallikatu, bulls are not killed on contrary men are killed. Cruelty is a relative term. ok then boycott equestrian sports too. I don't think horses are made to run without a wip. so Start Boycotting tourism to any country which has horses. That's the way to go "ARAN".
Many readers who have commented here are not aware about the fact that Bull fighting in Spain has come to an end. Its the same in many countries now in South America and Europe. No need to compare any other country with Jallikattu as its unique now to Tamil Nadu . What an irony!!