I am connected
in many ways to this dynamic issue. Being a tamilan which is foremost reason
gives me a sense of impending feeling of dread that our rights are bragged
without reasonable cause. Tamil culture is the oldest and richest tradition
known to human civilization. Every belief, custom, practice and actions have
deep rooted benefit and righteousness. Beginning with environmental
preservation to geeky cosmic explanations tamil culture has unlimited and
widespread literatures. To cut short this write up is all about a sport which
is an ancient tradition with modern popularity. Both traditionally and recently
recognized identity of Tamil state and people “Jallikattu”.
Our very sense
of existence is mainly determined by food, water and shelter. Farmers who
cultivate our staple food always hold a special place in our heart. The
philosophy of Pongal festival is to respect each farmer and recognize his
hardship and sacrifice to provide us basic need for existence. One of the best
friend of each farmer is their bull and cow. Latter gives milk which is a
primary derivative and former does help in farming and breeding. The 3 day
Pongal festival gives importance to farmers, cattle and enjoyment.
The highlight of
Mattu Pongal is “Jallikattu”. Jallikattu helps any individual to exhibit many
traits like joy, festivity, pride, bravery, strength and prowess. Raging bull is hugged by hormonally charged
youngsters to acquire recognition of having all the above traits. It is not as
simple as that. This breed of bull is of world class quality in all aspect.
Being it judged by physical prowess, quality of work obtained or remaining
untamed in jallikattu every year, our bull is only one of its kind in the
world. Many varieties of breeds are present and they are equally endangered to
its way of becoming extinct. The player to hug the bull for a considerable
period of time to announce his victory. Each bull is equal to a full speed
locomotive engine, simply unstoppable..!!.
Each bull is
treated as a member of the family, fed like a champion and trained like a
fighter. Jallikattu is the Darwin’s version of existence for the bulls. Jallikattu
is the day for them to prove the survival of the fittest. Victorious will go
for breeding and one which is easily tamed will help in farming, pull carts and
peripheral work. Slaughter house is the end of the road for the latter. Apart
from the above cows belonging to the same breed gives quality milk with
enriching nourishments.
One step ahead,
rural TamilNadu believes that prosperity, abundance of natural resources,
fertility of their soil directly depends on the blessings of major bulls termed
as “Koil Madu” (Temple bulls) in each village. Disrespect will bring drought,
destruction, famine and extinct of whole mankind. One way this theory is true
if butterfly effect is true.
Having explained
only the outline figure of our culture and sport one can always feel the
heritage and cultural oneness we share through Jallikattu.
Tamilians always
love cinema. To make this more cinematic I can mark this as the entry of our
villan to this story. PETA India – People of ethical treatment of Animal. The
arrival of this body itself is under thick conspiracy. Animal Welfare Board of
India (AWBI’s) Ex-Chairman Mr. Chinny Krishna and Ms. Poorva Joshipura of
PETAIndia had good personal rapport. AWBI is the only body to authorize any
animal welfare activists in India. It is also recorded that key positions in such
recognized bodies were acquaitance of AWBI’s family like Ms. Poorva.
On 2014
Judgement by Hon’ Supreme Court of India, PETAIndia submitted its strong
investigation report explaining the cruelty and barbaric activities against
bulls during Jallikattu event. I can confidently say this report is biased. The
scope of this report was never questioned by SC. The footage evidence was only
recorded in Vadivasal of various Jallikattu places like Alanganallur, Pulikulam
and Avaniapuram which was also filtered to justify their argument. PETAIndia
did not behave like a neutral body but more biased on its stand on banning this
cultural event. They worked on meticulous planning with proper legal support to
build a strong anti-Jallikattu document for SC.
Being a
multi-national organization (MNC), it is their responsibility to conduct the
investigation in a fair, unbiased and prima facie manner. PETAIndia was never
ethical towards the cultural sensitivity of this issue. Long standing hours for
the bull, tail biting and forced movement of bulls in unnatural position
coupled with injuries that rarely a bull suffered was recorded. All these
jeopardizing situations are present in cricket or even in everyone’s life. It
is ubiquitous.
Hence PETA-India
gained popularity as Anti-hindu or Anti-Tamil organisation rather than as a simple
animal rights organisation. The other stakeholder which is SC of India was used
by PETAIndia’s benefit. The amendment made to PCA act and strong evidences
produced by PETAIndia tied SC’s hands in this matter. As usual only evidences
and arguments were given more weightage than emotions and cultural identity.
Jallikattu was banned.
Two years has
passed and silent grievance on this ban earned a strong social objection on
January 2017. Jallikattu supporters pushed government, SC and lawyers to bring
emergency ordinance on this ban. Again benefit of doubt is given to Tamilnadu –
why Supreme Court refused to hear emergency plea submitted by Jallikattu
supporters on 13th January 2016? Clear act of procrastination, along
with PETAIndia’s reminder mail to SC which sounded as a reminder with warning
sent eerie feeling among the public.
PETAIndia’s particular
tweet further fueled the fire. It is always unethical to challenge any group of
people commenting on their culture, act or rights on any grounds. PETAIndia did
the exact same thing of openly challenging the public that vadivasal will
remain deserted without bulls and no tamil can stop this.
The public
unrest started. During Pongal and consecutive 3 days protest to express the
dislike and win PETA’s challenge, unwarranted Jallikattu was organized in many
places. All credit goes to social networking sites especially twitter which was
powerful in spreading this unethical ban. Alanganallur saw first group of
protestors staging a sit-down protest to at least allow 5 prominent bulls of
the village to walk through vadivasal. Pride PETAIndia, disciplined SC and
helpless TNGovt arrested them after 27 hour long refusing to honor their
request.
The mark of student’s
revolution started here. A small group of 12 men started a silent protest in
Marina Beach, Chennai. This quickly grew few thousands. Only one overworked
media house called New7 captured the entire picture of Jallikattu. After many
attempt to discuss this protest out by cops ended up in vain. Chief Minister of
Tamilnadu and his battalions were forced to visit the Prime Minister. The
meeting was scheduled with not much of a hurry and also did not materialize
well. A bout of discussion which longed only 7 minutes was useless without any
outcome.
The speech given
by our CM was strange, gravely empty and ostensibly unsatisfying. As I am
penning down my thoughts many section of people like associations of lorry
drivers, schools, colleges, shop keepers and even cops joining this protest to
express possible means of demonstration of their dislike against this ban.
There is always
a thin line that separates protest and riot, Peace and violence, Group and mob.
We pray that no blood shed, violence among humans or on animals should be
perpetrated by anti-social bodies in this protest.
Only way out is
at least one bull should proudly walk through his vadivasal and announce the
victory to Tamil people and state which is celebrated as one of the oldest
community in the world has recorded victory saving its traditional sport called
“Jallikattu”. I am sure this victory is not far from us….!!
From a
proud tamilian…!!
