Many supporters of jallikattu claim that reviving it is in the interest of preserving India’s culture (“Kamal bats for jallikattu” and “Jallikattu: TN urges Centre to take ordinance route”, Jan.10). This is where I differ. There were a number of social practices that were a part of our culture. Do the “preservers” of Indian culture want to bring them back? A culture must evolve with time and the upholding of animal rights in the 21st century is of paramount importance. Have they forgotten that “the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated”?
Kaushik Balakrishnan,
Camarillo, California, U.S.
Many issues that cause a community to be stirred up do not have reasoning. Politicians, students, villagers or even the general public participating in demonstrations against the jallikattu ban appear to voice only one opinion: when elephants are used for strenuous labour in Kerala, and camels too in North India, why is jallikattu not permitted in Tamil Nadu? All need to understand that the ban is not to safeguard the animals or against their legal use for activities such as farming, but instead to safeguard lives. Taking part in jallikattu, which either results in participants ending up being seriously injured or even losing their lives, is akin to taking one’s life. Why shouldn’t provisions in the IPC be extended to participants of jallikattu?
S.T. Daniel,
Tirunelveli
Rooster fights have come back to haunt the police, animal rights activists and those of us who do not endorse this sport (“Unfazed, punters get ready to bet on rooster fights in AP”, Jan.8). This is yet another instance of avoidable conflict much like jallikattu and camel racing. Man’s craze to go to any length to entertain himself at the cost of inflicting pain on other living creatures knows no bounds. In my childhood, it was low key and restricted to very few rural pockets but has now transformed itself into a show of family prestige and pride. Films have only aided in whipping up these interests associated with the sport by presenting exaggerated celluloid versions of it.
Pushpa Dorai,
Nurani, Kerala
