Allegations of Dalit discrimination mar Avaniyapuram jallikattu

According to P Balachandran, a resident of Avaniyapuram, “there has been widespread discontent among several locals as the committee, which usually organises the jallikattu, allowed a particular person, AK Kannan, president, Avaniyapuram Jallikattu Vizha Kuzhu, to organise the event every year. Further, there is a charge that members of Dalit community were not being given representation in the organising committee and in the event.”

Though the issue cropped up soon after the ban on Jallikattu was lifted after the Governor passed an ordinance in January 2017, Avaniyapuram residents overlooked the problem, especially, to organise the jallikattu as the right to hold the event was won after a big battle, Balachandran said, adding, “however, this year, people are firm not to allow him to organise the event.”

“Either Kannan should give up his responsibility to organise the event or else the state government should organise the jallikattu in Avaniyapuram. Otherwise, Madurai may not see the first jallikattu of the season at Avaniyapuram,” he said.

Denying discrimination of Dalits in the event, Kannan said he had been organising the event for over 15 years and any pattadarar farmer affiliated to Thenkal Kanmoi Paasana Vivasayigal Sangam, the key organisation that was organising the jallikattu in ancient days, would alone be eligible to conduct the event.

As per tradition, representatives of all castes would be honoured ahead of organising the event. According to police instructions, only 20 persons would be allowed to occupy the programme stage, but those levelling allegations want the number of persons on the stage to be increased, he said.

Madurai Collector S Natarajan, said since two groups at Avaniyapuram were at loggerheads in conducting the event, the organising committee members boycotted a meeting called to discuss the arrangements for the jalliikattu.

Against this backdrop, the issue has now reached the High Court, which is set to hear the case on January 3 (Thursday).

Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, R. Rajasekaran said this year the organising committee wanted to issue tokens on their own to bulls contrary to the usual practice of the department carrying out the exercise. “Veterinarians are already on the job of screening bulls in all dispensaries in the district to issue health certificates. The screening will go on till Jan 12,” Rajasekaran said.