Jallikattu: Understanding the Heritage, the Debate and the Law

Every January, during Pongal, the villages around Madurai become the centre of attention for the whole state. Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniyapuram host the most famous jallikattu events, watched by thousands in person and lakhs on television.

For some people, jallikattu is pride and identity. For others, it raises serious questions about animal welfare and safety. I think we can understand a tradition better when we look at all sides calmly. So here is a simple, balanced explainer.

🐂 What Is Jallikattu?

Jallikattu is a traditional sport where a bull is released from an enclosure called the vadivasal into an open arena. Young men try to hold on to the bull’s hump for a set distance or time. The older Tamil name is eru thazhuvuthal — “embracing the bull”.

The word “jallikattu” is often linked to salli (coins) and kattu (tie) — a bundle of coins tied to the bull’s horns as a prize. The rule is that you hold the hump; you are not supposed to hurt or bring down the animal.

📜 An Old Tradition

References to bull-embracing appear in Sangam-era Tamil literature, which shows how old this practice is. It is closely tied to Mattu Pongal, the day when we honour cattle, which I explained in my post on the four days of Pongal.

One argument supporters make is about native breeds. Bulls like the Kangayam, Pulikulam and Umbalachery are raised with care by families for years. Jallikattu gives these bulls value and status, and supporters say this helps keep indigenous breeds alive instead of disappearing.

⚖️ The Legal Journey, Briefly

Jallikattu has gone through a long legal history. In short:

• In May 2014, the Supreme Court, in the Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja case, held that jallikattu violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the sport stopped.
• In January 2017, huge peaceful protests took place, most famously at Chennai’s Marina Beach. The Tamil Nadu Assembly then passed an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for the state, allowing jallikattu with regulations.
• The amendment was challenged. In May 2023, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the Tamil Nadu law, along with similar laws in Maharashtra and Karnataka for bullock-cart racing and kambala.

So today, jallikattu is legal in Tamil Nadu, but only when conducted under the rules laid down by law and by the district administration.

🩺 Safety and Animal Welfare

Being legal does not mean there are no concerns. Every year there are injuries to tamers and spectators, and sometimes deaths. Animal welfare groups continue to raise questions about stress and harm to the bulls.

The regulations try to address this. Events generally require permission from authorities, veterinary check-ups for bulls, medical fitness checks and registration for tamers, double barricades for spectators, and medical teams on site. Practices like making bulls drunk or using irritants are prohibited.

In my view, the best way to respect a tradition is to make it as safe as possible — for the animal, for the players and for the crowd.

“A tradition survives not by being frozen, but by becoming kinder and safer with every generation.”

🤝 Seeing Both Sides

When we talk about jallikattu with friends or on social media, emotions run high. Some points worth keeping in mind:

1. For many rural families, the bull is like a family member, raised with love and pride.
2. Concerns about cruelty and injuries are real and deserve honest answers, not anger.
3. The courts and the legislature have now given a framework; following it strictly is everybody’s responsibility.

🌾 Takeaway

Jallikattu is a window into the deep bond between Tamil farmers and their cattle. Understand its history, respect the law and the safety rules, and listen to different views with an open mind. If you go to watch, stay behind the barricades and follow the organisers’ instructions — the thrill is best enjoyed safely.