Bulls hit! Now breath-analysers to tame jallikattu in Tamil Nadu

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Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1074612

 

Bulls hit! Now breath-analysers to tame jallikattu in Tamil Nadu

 

Arun Ram

Monday, January 15, 2007 23:45 IST

 

CHENNAI: If you thought breath-analysers were only to check drunken

driving, come to Madurai for jallikattu, the annual bullfight during

the Pongal season from Monday. After the Madras High court stayed an

order against the controversial sport and suggested precautions, the

district administration has decided to conduct breath-analyser tests

on matadors and bulls to ensure an alcohol-free arena.

 

Alcohol and adrenalin have been inseparable ingredients of this

ancient sport in several villages of south Tamil Nadu. And dangerous

as it were, the sport has claimed innumerable human lives and spurred

many animal lovers into action. While many of the young men usually

enter the jallikattu arena intoxicated, the owners give liquor to the

bulls to make them more virulent. Other 'knacks' to infuriate the

bulls include twisting their tails and squeezing lemon into their

eyes.

 

On petitions from animal rights activists in March last year, a

single judge bench of the Madras high court had instructed the police

not to allow jallikattu this time. Organisers in the villages

challenged the order and a division bench stayed it. But it asked the

administration to ensure safety of the participants, audience and the

animals.

 

" Bulls and participating men will be tested for alcohol and other

intoxicants. The matadors will have to register themselves with the

village committees and they will be given uniforms to enter the

arena. The bulls will be marked, " Madurai district collector, T

Udayachandran, said.

 

The Alanganallur jallikattu last year claimed the life of one matador

and several others, including some spectators who suffered severe

injuries. In 2005, seven people were killed in jallikattu in Madurai,

Sivaganga, Pudukottai and Tiruchi districts. This time, there will be

a two-layer barricade, one of wooden poles and the other of wire mesh

to protect the spectators.

 

Two special hospitals with 30 beds and blood of all groups have been

kept ready.

 

Meanwhile, animal lover Maneka Gandhi said she would move the Supreme

Court against the 'cruel sport' after this season.

 

" The administration is keeping ambulances, hospitals and blood ready.

This suggests that they are aware of the dangers involved in the

game, " she told DNA.

 

Hundreds of men participate in jallikattu - the biggest one being in

Alanganallur in Madurai. It is here that the participants show off

their valour and masculanity. And the winners bag prizes worth lakhs

of rupees.