Jallikattu: Demand to permit more tamers

With the harvest festival Pongal just days ahead, arrangements are being carried out in earnest to conduct jallikattu at Alanganallur and Palamedu in Madurai district. However, the event at Avaniyapuram, the first in the region every season, remains a doubtful starter this year as two groups are involved in a clash over the right to organise the event.

Welcoming the decision to extend this year’s event by one hour, 32-year-old bull tamer N Vinoth Raj, a resident of Oomachikulam, said participants are excited about the event.

He, however, said the ‘jallikattu Ilaignar Peravai’ has come up with a few demands, which include the permission to allow 100 tamers per hour inside the arena against the existing limit of 75. Alternatively, the group has demanded that all the tamers be allowed in two batches.

Further, Vinoth Raj, who bagged the first prize in Alanganallur (2014) and second prize last year, said: “We want the organising committee to permit only genuine tamers in the 18-40 age group to participate in the event.”

“The organisers should discourage such persons, who claim themselves as tamers, and take selfies just to upload their photographs on social media,” he said, adding that bulls below 120 cm in height should not be restricted from participating as most of the animals falling under the ‘Umblachery’ breed from Pudukkottai region could hardly take part in the event if such an restriction is insisted upon.

He also sought special privileges for distinguished performers (tamers) allowing them straight entry in the next phase of the event without undergoing formal checking procedures.

When contacted, Madurai Collector S Natarajan told DT Next on Sunday that necessary arrangements, such as barricading and erecting spectator galleries, are being made at Palamedu, where the event is scheduled on January 16, and Alanganallur (January 17).

Apart from special medical teams, four fire tenders would be stationed at the venue. He, however, turned down the request to allow 100 tamers inside the arena per hour.

While around 700 bulls would normally participate in the event, an hundred more are expected to take part this year as the duration has been extended by an hour, sources added.

This time a team from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has stressed on the organising committees to provide insurance cover for the bulls, the tamers as well as spectators. The team is expected to take stock of the arrangements at the venues on Wednesday.

Citing other rules and restrictions, Rajasekaran said bulls without permanent teeth, with sharp horns, below three years old, less than 120 cm in height and less than 300 kg in weight would be barred from participation. Tokens would be issued to bull owners two days ahead of the event, he said.