Residents, bull-rearers and jallikattu enthusiasts from Alanganallur observed a day-long fast at Alanganallur to protest the ban on the bull-taming sport and appealed for permission to conduct the annual event in tune with tradition.
More than 1,000 persons participated in the fast which began at 10 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. As a sign of protest, many bull-rearers tonsured their heads. Black flags were kept near the ‘Vaadivasal’ at the village.
R. Govindaraj, a bull owner and resident, said news being circulated about the possibility of the bulls being deleted from the list of “performing animals” that have been banned for exhibition and training after efforts of the State and Central governments had renewed their hopes.
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“We still hope that the event will be allowed and are ready to host it even if it is announced in the last minute,” he added. The ‘jallikattu’ is hosted on the third day of the Tamil month ‘Thai’ at Alanganallur and is one of the largest in the State.
When asked about the likelihood of hosting the event in the district if permission was secured in the last minute, P. Rajasekar, president, Jallikattu Peravai, recounted a similar situation in 2008 despite which the event was held.
“We got permission to host the event on Pongal day on January 15 at 1 p.m. that year and with the help of over 300 youths, managed to get all arrangements done and hosted the event in Palamedu at 8 a.m. the next day. We were also able to host the event in Alanganallur a day after that,” he said.
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Echoing his sentiments, jallikattu enthusiasts said they would be able to host jallikattu even if they got permission in the last minute and that all they needed was a 12-hour time frame to get the arrangements in place.