Jallikattu

The 'movement' seems to have multiple nuances. 

The 'marina movement' proves, however feebly though, that people can voice their views even without political intervention. Emotional upsurge has enabled passionate parts of society to 'bulldoze' their ideas on society. Duterte, Brexit, Trump and now Jallikattu are clear examples.

It is difficult to say whether this is a welcome development or not. But it is certainly an interesting development. Passions can bypass politics and judiciary in the short run. Politics and judiciary will be waiting to have their revenge.

Is fight for jallikattu a social movement?

Agitation for restoring jallikattu in TamilNadu seems to be seamlessly transforming itself from a political issue to a social movement. What was considered a fringe play has metamorphosed into a mainstream movement with full-blown social and cultural implications.

Even those who were initially against jallikattu are now becoming its protagonists. Zaka Jacob, anchor in CNN Channel, and Radhakrishnan of Frontline magazine come to mind immediately. Kris Srikkanth is aggressively batting for it. Kamal Hassan with his provocative oneliner, "Why not ban Biryani also", has been supporting jallikattu from the beginning.

The evolving consensus now appears to be that jallikattu, an ancient rural sport, is not, and certainly need not be, inclusive of violence against the bull. The theme of the sport is to hold the bull's hump as long as possible. It is a test of physical stamina, understanding of bull's mind and one's own resilience.

Many may wonder how this has caught the imagination of many IT professionals in Chennai, the city that is not home to jallikattu. The reason is straightforward : Most IT professionals in Chennai hail from rural and semi-urban areas and their nostalgic emotions have been activated. 

Jallikattu

The Central Government has now permitted Jallikattu subject of course to certain guidelines. There is ample empirical evidence that such guidelines are rarely implemented by the organisers of Jallikattu.

The Supreme Court in its enlightened judgment of May 7, 2014 had observed:

"Even the ancient culture and tradition do not support the conduct of Jallikattu or Bullock cart race, in the form in which they are being conducted at present. Welfare and the well-being of the bull is Tamil culture and tradition, they do not approve of infliction of any pain or suffering on the bulls, on the other hand, Tamil tradition and culture are to worship the bull and the bull is always considered as the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Yeru Thazhuvu, in Tamil tradition, is to embrace bulls and not over-powering the bull, to show
human bravery."

The judgment further said,

"As early as 1500-600 BC in Isha-Upanishads, it is professed as follows:
“The universe along with its creatures belongs to the land. No creature is superior to any other. Human beings should not be above nature. Let no one species encroach over the rights and privileges of other species.”

"Bulls cannot be used as a Performing Animals for Jallikattu and Bullock-cart Race, since they are
basically draught and pack animals, not anatomically designed for such performances."

"Parliament, it is expected, would elevate rights of animals to that of constitutional rights, as done by
many of the countries around the world, so as to protect their dignity and honour."

It is a pity that the Central Government has taken this decision not on merits, legal or ethical, but based on extraneous considerations. This being the month of Margazhi, anyone with even the remotest acquaintance with Andal's Thiruppavai would appreciate the respectful treatment extended to cattle by ancient Tamils. As the Supreme Court rightly proclaims, our cultural progress should make us migrate from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.