Officials lay down rules, Avaniyapuram prepares for jallikattu

At Avaniyapuram, which will be the maiden venue for the event this season, the preparation works are on for the vadi vasal and the examination of the bulls too had started. 

The jallikattu was made a reality after the non-violent protest spearheaded by students. The protest pressurised the government to pass the amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2017 to enable jallikattu. 

Following the passing of the bill in the Assembly on January 23, the dates for conducting jallikattu in Madurai district have been confirmed. The jallikattu in Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur will be held on February 5, 9 and 10 respectively. 

While people of Avaniyapuram and the jallikattu Organising Committee are excited to conduct the sport after two years, the Madurai district administration had  issued strict guidelines to be followed by the organisers. 

The guidelines say that jallikattu organising committee should submit the details of the bulls that are participating and their owners to the district administration. All the bulls should be tested and certified by a team of veterinarians. The certificate issued by the veterinarians should also be produced. The team should also ensure that no liquor or irritating substances were given to the bulls. 

All participant bulls should be given 20 minutes of rest before they are taken to the vadi vassal and released into the arena. The bulls should be accommodated in an ad hoc tent, like shamiana, 60 feet away from the play arena and they should be adequate food and water. The arena should be 50 square metres and all the bulls should be tamed within this arena. The ‘bull run course’ should be double barricaded measuring at least 8 feet in height. 

The place of conducting jallikattu should have been examined by the collector and jallikattu should be conducted only in the approved place. A committee should be formed with officials from revenue, police and veterinary department for the smooth and safe conduct of the event. 

A spectator gallery should be formed and the gallery should be strong enough. CCTV cameras should be placed in sufficient numbers in the arena and video recording of the entire event should be done.  The bull tamers too should be subjected to health checkup and sufficient number of ambulances should be present at the spot.