Jallikatu – Why it should be banned

Jallikatu is a bull fighting event celebrated mostly in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh. This kind of a cattle festival is observed during Pongal and Sankranti festival in villages.

A special breed of bulls is bred by some greedy, rich, affluent people. It was an ancient ritual and practice commonly practiced by a tribe and blindly followed today.

A bull is left free from an enclosure to open ground where participants try to control the wild bull which is made violent. During this activity, there will definitely be major injuries and, sometimes, even death.

Recently, a ban had been put by the Supreme Court on a request made by animal activists, but it is still continuing because of protests by the people who do not want a ban.

I love animals and I love horse-riding. In my view, this is definitely a cruelty towards the animal. God has created all of us: and we are taught to respect and love everyone and harm no one. Then, what right does anyone have to hurt or misuse an animal for our own pleasure and entertainment? Animals that are wild, have to be left free in jungles and forests to survive.

From ancient days, man domesticated animals for his own needs like transporting goods and other work or purposes. New methods and vehicles evolved and man stopped using them as a means of transport. So, if man can change that, then why can’t we also adopt different sports and stop misusing animals?

People argue that it is a source of income for the villagers. Why can’t we have jobs for people in villages and educate them so that they also think reasonably? Bans should be there, but employment should also be given.

Blindly following old customs, that involve misuse, danger and cruelty to life, should be stopped. I wish people had some more love and affection for others in this world, especially for animals, who are God’s creatures just like us.