Two Gored to Death in ‘Record-Breaking’ Jallikattu Event in TN
Following protests across Tamil Nadu in 2017, the banned sport was legitimised through an ordinance by the state.
A grand "jallikattu" (bull-taming) event held here Sunday, 20 January, entered the world record for the maximum number of bulls released into the sporting arena which was over 1,300 and almost double than the previous record. During the event, two spectators were reportedly gored to death.
57 people have been injured in separate incidents, amid the ‘Jallikattu’ fervour in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the Madurai district administration has reportedly enrolled participants in a mandatory insurance scheme that is applicable in the event of death.
Following massive protests across Tamil Nadu in 2017, the banned bull-taming sport was legitimised through an ordinance by the Tamil Nadu government.
- 44 persons injured in a Jallikattu event in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district
- In Pudukottai district, another 13 persons have been reported injured.
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What is Jallikattu?
A bull-taming sport, Jallikattu is celebrated on the day of Mattu Pongal in Tamil Nadu, which is when the people of the state worship the cattle.
The sport was banned by the Supreme Court on grounds of animal cruelty in 2015. However, the ban was lifted in 2017 following massive protests across the Marina Beach in Chennai, after which an amendment was made to the law in order to accommodate the sport.
57 Persons Injured So Far
According to a report in The Times of India, 44 people, including bull tamers, handlers and the general public, were injured at the Avaniyapuram jallikattu event in Madurai. While eight of the badly injured persons were sent to the Government Rajaji Hospital in the district, they were reportedly out of danger.
Meanwhile in Pudukkottai district, 13 people were injured. According to one report in The Hindu, while four of the injured persons were sent to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital for treatment, nine others were given medical aid at the event.
Meanwhile, the Madurai administration has made the participants enroll in a mandatory insurance scheme that will cover expenses in the event of death.
Watch: Jallikattu in Madurai
57 Injured So Far
Reports say that as many as 57 people have been injured so far in the bull-taming sport.
According to one report in the Times of India, 44 people, including bull tamers, handlers and the general public, were injured at the Avaniyapuram jallikattu event in Madurai.
In Pudukkottai district, 13 people were injured.
Madurai Admin Enrolls Participants in Mandatory Insurance Scheme
The Madurai district administration has enrolled participants in a mandatory insurance scheme that is applicable in the event of death, reported ToI. The jallikattu participants were reportedly asked to visit their banks to sign up for the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) scheme on Monday which would provide them with a risk coverage of upto Rs 2 lakh.
Two Killed During Jallikattu Event in Pudukkottai
A record-breaking jallikattu event was held at Viralimalai near Pudukkottai on Sunday, 20 January, which saw the participation of 1,353 bulls and 700 tamers.
During the event, two spectators were also gored to death and nearly 40 bull-tamers were injured, reported The News Minute. The victims were identified as Ramu (32) of Illupur in Pudukottai district and Sathish Kumar (35) of Jeeyapuram in Trichy.