Now that the government has decided to go ahead with the ordinance on jallikattu, the focus is on safety of both men and the animals. The TN Jallikattu Regulation Act of 2009 was the first attempt to regulate the event. These are the conditions it laid down
The organiser shall
● take all precautionary steps for the orderly conduct of the event
● inform in writing to the Collector thirty days prior to the date of the event and obtain his permission
● double-barricade the arena or the way through which the bulls pass through in order to avoid injuries to the spectators and by-standers who may be permitted to remain within the barricades
● fix up the gallery for the spectators to sit and watch the event and the gallery shall be made up with strong sticks to permit occupation
● arrange to obtain prior permission of the Collector to the persons, who wish to bring their bulls to participate in the event
● ensure that the bulls are put to proper testing by the authorities of the Animal Husbandry Department to ensure that performance enhancement drugs are not administered to the bulls in any form and shall obtain a certificate to this effect in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed
● arrange to enrol the names and other particulars of the bull tamers in the event with the Collector at least fifteen days prior to the holding of the event and the bull tamers shall also be put to thorough check up by a medical team constituted by the Collector for this purpose
Basic conditions
● The event is conducted during the months from January to May of a year
● The place selected is suitable for orderly conduct of the event
● The event should have been conducted during the past five years continuously
● The event shall be held at a place notified by the Collector in the District Gazette
● Permission granted may be modified or withdrawn at any time
The Collector shall
● ensure double barricading of the arena at the minimum of six feet height so that bulls will not jump the double barricading and avoid causing of injuries to the spectators
● ensure the number of spectators in the gallery shall not exceed the limit prescribed by the Public Works Department
● ensure safety certificate is obtained from the Public Works Department for the double barricading and for the safety of the gallery;
● ensure that the bulls are free of any diseases and not intoxicated or administered with any substance like nicotine, cocaine with the object of making them more aggressive or ferocious with the assistance of the Animal Husbandry Department;
● arrange to provide adequate police protection at the places where the event is held;
● arrange to provide adequate medical facilities including the ambulance at the place where the event is held, to give medical treatment and constitute a medical team for such purpose;
● arrange for necessary drinking water supply