Tradition at stake in this year’s Avaniyapuram jallikattu: Locals

Addressing newspersons after reviewing arrangements, Collector S Natarajan on Sunday said: “CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the proceedings. Giant LED screens will be installed at five locations to facilitate spectators watch the event live.”

Stating that the tamers would be covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, a Central government backed insurance scheme, Natarajan said a premium of Rs 12 would be deducted from the bank accounts of those who have registered in Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur.

“The tamers should submit their applications at these three venues by providing their participation tokens, Aadhaar cards and photocopies of their bank passbooks at 8 am on Monday (January 14),” he added. There is, however, a feeling among a section of locals that this year’s event would be unusual as it would be organised by the High Court-appointed committee.

The court took the decision to form the panel to allay a dispute between the existing local jallikattu committee and the local community over who has the ‘rights’ to organise the event.

Stating that his interest has waned, M Ramasamy, a resident of Avaniyapuram, said he is unsure if the ‘tradition’ would be followed. “Several aspects have been relaxed, including ‘first respect’ to participating bulls, organisers taking centre stage and offering of prizes to bull tamers and bulls,” he said. Another resident A K Kannan wondered how the new organising committee could mobilize funds for offering prizes to the winners. “The government wants to hold the event this year just to record it. In doing so, it has let the tradition die in Avaniyapuram,” he said.

“Prize articles would alone incur a minimum expenditure of around Rs 5 lakh. Besides, food would normally be served to around 4,000 people during the event. If prizes are not given either to tamers or bull owners adequately, participants would be discouraged from taking part in the Avaniyapuram jallikattu next year,” Kannan said.

He, however, said 80 per cent of work on setting up the ‘Vadivasal’ and barricading the arena is complete. The remaining work in expected to be completed by Monday, Kannan added.