Jallikattu to be conducted in Tamil Nadu, BUT with restrictions
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
History & Culture
- Published
24th Dec, 2020
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Context
The Tamil Nadu government has allowed conducting jallikattu across the State this Pongal season but with fresh restrictions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is Jallikattu?
- Jallikattu is a disputed traditional event in which a bull is released into a crowd of people.
- Multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape.
- Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop.
- In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
- Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day, which occurs annually in January.
About Pongal
- Pongal is also referred to as Thai Pongal is a multi-day Harvest festival observed by the Tamil community.
- It is observed at the start of the month Tai according to Tamil solar calendar, and this is typically about January 14.
- It is dedicated to the Sun god, the Surya, and corresponds to Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival under many regional names celebrated throughout India.
- The Four days of the Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Maattu Pongal and Kanum Pongal.
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Supreme Court’s verdict over Jallikattu
- In 2014, the Supreme Court of India struck down the State law and banned jallikattu altogether.
- The Supreme Court noted that any flouting of the ban should result in penalties for cruelty to animals under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
- In January 2019, the Centre had issued a notification lifting the ban on Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu with certain restrictions, which was later stayed by SC.
