Jallikattu no way cruel, allow it: Sasikala to PM

Chennai: Contending that bulls are worshipped as “deity” and no cruelty is practised on them, AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala on Wednesday made a strong case for conduct of jallikattu this Pongal by bringing an ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, a copy of which was handed over to his office in New Delhi by AIADMK MPs, Mrs Sasikala said the event is “inextricably” linked to the  rural, agrarian customs, practices and psyche of the Tamils.”

Noting that the bulls that participate in jallikattu on the second day of Pongal festivities – Maatu Pongal – are specially reared for the purpose, he said the sport is “not in the least cruel to animals, unlike other sporting events involving horses, camels and other animals.”

“The ministry of environment and forests, Government of India, should clearly de-notify bulls as ‘performing animals’ and I request you, honourable sir, to take appropriate steps to enable the traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in our soil. This is my earnest request as there is widespread resentment against the ban,” she said in the letter.

“The youth of the state in particular wanted the sport to be played, as they feel that it is their divine traditional right, wherein they exhibit their courage in taming the bulls,” she said.