MADURAI: Pongal might have passed this year. Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniapuram might have been forced to miss date with Jallikattu due to the Supreme Court ban on the traditional sport played between man and the beast in the Tamil countryside.
Still, the Jallikattu bull keepers are holding on to hope and tending to the stud bulls with utmost care. They would not think even in the wildest of their dreams to send them to slaughter houses. “Anti-jallikattu activists may call us names but we take pride in the fact that the native cattle breeds are surviving solely because of us,” says G R Karthik, a farmer of Alanganallur.
Explaining why Jallikattu is necessary, he says, “If not for the sport, the local cattle breeds will be eliminated. The bulls that win the game are in great demand for servicing the cows.”
P R Samy of Sakkudi, who raises a dozen bulls from three breeds, echoes his view. “The number of bulls, especially the Bargur variety, has come down in the recent times. If there is a permanent ban on Jallikattu, the indigenous cattle will be wiped out from our land as the traditional bull keepers will not be interested in raising the animals.”
According to him, there are six cattle varieties in the state: Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Barugur, Kilavari and Thenimalai of which Pulikulam and Umbalachery have been certified as indigenous breeds by the Breed Registration Committee of the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources functioning under the aegis of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research.
Though Kangayam, he says, is mostly used for rekla race more popular in western districts, it is also preferred for Jallikattu because of its agility. The other five breed bulls are majorly trained for Jallikattu.Senthil of Avaniapuram says, “While temple bull services the cows in the village, the ones belonging to individuals are also allowed for mating for proliferation of species.”
When female calves are raised for the dairy trade and industry, the same is not the case with male calves which are usually sent to slaughter houses in other regions. “Interested in our ancient Jallikattu, we raise them like our family member mindless of the expenses,” he says.
Coming to the cows of these native breeds, their number accounts for only 20 per cent in the state, while 80 per cent are cross-breeds of Jersey, a foreign breed which requires high maintenance, says vet R Raghuram. “The cholesterol content in Jersey cow’s milk is also high and not good for health,” he says adding Jallikattu will largely help in conserving the indigenous cattle.
Seeman Held for Bid to conduct sport
Madurai: Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman was arrested here on Tuesday for trying to conduct Jallikattu at Palamedu. As Supreme Court refused to lift the interim stay on Jallikattu, Seeman had announced that Jallikattu would be conducted at Palamedu against the court orders. He told medipersons that he would be happy if he was arrested for conducting Jallikattu. As Seeman boarded a car to Palamedu, Alanganallur police arrested him and he was taken to a marriage hall within Sholavandan police limits. Also, around 120 of his supporters and party cadre were arrested.
Villagers Surrender Ration Cards
Dindigul: Residents of Pillamanayakkanpatti and Pugaiyelaipatti villages surrendered their ration cards here on Tuesday demanding that the government lift the interim stay on Jallikattu. A large number of villagers, led by their leaders Chinnaiah and Arockiadasstook out a procession to the Collectorate. Later, they met Nagendran, DRO, and surrendered their ration cards over the issue, who assured them that they are taking all efforts to get the ban lifted. Hence, they collected their PDS cards back.
Another ‘Manju virattu’ in Sivaganga
Sivaganga: Despite a Supreme Court stay on Jallikattu and similar events, district witnessed another 'Manju virattu' on Tuesday as 50 bulls were released into an open land as part of 'Thuyavanathu Andhoniyar' church Festival. On the fifth day of the Tamil month of 'Thai', Pongal celebrations are conducted in the church in which both Hindus and Christians participate. While Hindus prepare pongal, Christians light candles as part of the festivities. Later, they conducted poojas and started releasing bulls in a vacant land. Youngsters were seen having a great time.