After a 19-year-old was gored to death while he was watching the Jallikattu event in Madurai on Monday, two more deaths reportedly emerged from the state on Tuesday.
According to NDTV, two more persons were mauled to death by the bulls in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam attended a Jallikattu event in Madurai's Alanganallur.
Two cars are kept on display at the arena which will be awarded to the winners after the Jallikattu event.
One person was killed and 28 injured in during Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai, on Monday, 15 January.
A 19-year-old spectator of a Jallikattu event was killed in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Kalimuthu was reportedly trying to play with a bull outside the arena at the event in Palamedu, when the bull gored him.
Kalimuthu’s death came just hours after three tamers were disqualified from the deadly sport for cruelty to animals and flouting festival rules.
The traditional sport, a part of Tamil Nadu’s Pongal festivities, came under fire in 2017 when the Supreme Court issued an order banning the conduct of the sport. Amid massive protests, the Tamil Nadu government issued a state ordinance amending the Cruelty to Animals Act, and allowed the sport to be conducted, despite supporters of the ban claiming it was cruel to animals and posed a risk to participants. The first fatality, 19-year-old Kalimuthu, came on day 2 of the event.
CNN News-18 reported, quoting the Madurai Collector, said that Kalimuthu was gored when he was playing with a bull outside the arena. The report quotes the Madurai Collector as adding that Kalimuthu was not merely spectating, but had taken part in the first round of Jallikattu, only to get out.
The first event of the Jallikattu season 2018 was held on 14 January in Avaniyapuram, Madurai as part of Pongal festivities.
Jallikattu contests were scheduled to be held at Palamedu and Alanganallur on 15 and 16 January, respectively. Chief Minister K Palaniswami is expected to attend the event in Alanganallur on 16 January, where he will also distribute prizes for the winners.
‘Safety Measures in Place’
A meeting was held between officials of revenue, police, animal husbandry, fire and rescue services and tourism at the Madurai district collectorate on 14 January, to chalk out security arrangements and discuss the rules and regulations of the bull-taming sport.
The death of 19-year-old Kalimuthu came even as the district collector assured on 14 January that a medical team and ambulance would be on hand at the venues hosting the event, for emergency assistance.
District Collector Veeraraghavarao said that the sport will be held from 8 am to 3 pm and around 600 bulls from each village are likely to be used for the three-day event.
“I have strictly instructed the organising committees to adhere to rules while conducting the event and no harm should be caused to the bulls,” the Collector had told reporters on 14 January.
A Jallikattu monitoring committee comprising senior level officials will be formed to scrutinise the event and the district revenue officer will supervise it, said Veeraraghavarao.
The issue of tokens for bulls is being overseen by the regional director of animal husbandry. The Collector added that only a three-year-old bull, four feet tall (with three teeth) is eligible for the sport, and bull owners will be required to get the fitness certificate for their bulls from the local veterinary hospital. Tokens will be issued at the venue by the team of officials to bull owners. The Jallikattu organising committee will coordinate with officials through this process, on all days of the event, the Collector added.
(With inputs from CNN News-18 & The News Minute)
(This story will be updated)
(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at lettertoindia@thequint.com. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)