At a time when most people are still experiencing the after-effects of demonetisation and farmers are reeling under drought, is jallikattu that essential a sport to be fought for? It may be called a bull-taming sport but from what I have seen, it is only the participants who get tamed by the bulls. Where is the valour in this sport? Are they fighting with bulls face to face? People run behind and hang onto a bull for some distance. If they are able to do this for a while, they are labelled as heroes. Many are also injured in the process, gored and even trampled upon. When there are so many burning issues for political parties to tackle, why harp on this (“ Jallikattu ban to stay as Supreme Court refuses to be hurried into judgment”, Jan.13)?
D. Sethuraman,
Chennai
Almost all political parties in Tamil Nadu have raised the pitch on the subject. The reasons being given by those who want the ban to be lifted are deeply unconvincing. Just because it is a traditional sport, why should this sport of torture be encouraged in the 21st century? Can taming an animal by a human being be called a sport of valour? Man claiming victory over animal is not heroism or valour. It is barbarism. Bull taming is synonymous with torture, bloodshed and death.
Albert P’Rayan,
Chennai
It is to be remembered that the ban affects the traditions and sentiments of people. Such races are held in North India including Punjab. With vigil on the Internet in this era of communication, one cannot miss any act of cruelty being inflicted on animals. Jallikattu can be termed a safe rural sport. There is no need to have any misgivings about animals being treated in a cruel manner.
A.V. Narayanan,
Tiruchi
Jallikattu is not a social evil to be fought against tooth and nail but a rural sport associated with the annual harvest festival of Pongal since the Sangam Age. It is entertaining as participants display grit, determination, will, strength, and even presence of mind. It is an exaggeration to say that animals are tortured. As a photojournalist, I have covered this sport for nearly 16 years at Alanganallur and Palamedu in Madurai district in Tamil Nadu and have a stock of about 500 transparencies and negatives. In no frame that I have shot can I find animals to have been treated in a cruel way. In fact jallikattu results in injuries to participants, which they take in their stride.
R. Krishnamurthy,
Coimbatore
