Jallikattu organisers divided on political lines in Alanganallur

Ever since it was decided that jallikattu will be held on February 10, preparation works were on in full-swing following the erection of ‘pandalkal’. But dispute arose when a section of organising committee members and public said that the AIADMK members were trying to hijack the event and take credit for the event. They also submitted a petition to Madurai Collector K Veera Raghav Rao, demanding him to form a common organising committee to conduct jallikattu. 

Former Alanganallur Town Panchayat Vice-Chairman Govindaraj said that jallikattu has become possible after two years solely because of the protests put up by youngsters, students and women and it is unfair for one party to stake credit for it and conduct the event by bypassing all other organising committee members and public. 

Chinna Muniyandi, a resident of Alanganallur, said the pandalkal was erected in the wee hours of Sunday without any announcement in the presence of Revenue Minister R B Udayakumar. People of Alanganallur were ignored, he said. As Alanganallur jallikattu is a government function, a common organising team with members with no political affiliation should be formed and the historic event should be conducted without any problem, he added. 

With a car, a tractor and a Royal Enfield Bullet among other things lined up as prizes for successful bull tamers, more than a thousand youngsters have converged in Alanganallur to register as a participant of jallikattu event to be held on February 10.

On Monday, police personnel had to cane the crowd and control them. Close to 1,500 youths assembled at the shamiana made near Muthalamman Temple at Alanganallur on Monday where the registration is being done. As the numbers swelled, police used a mild lathi charge to make them stand in queues. In the registration forms, details of the bull tamers and three passport size photos along with their ID cards and Aadhar numbers were sought. Simultaneously, they also underwent a medical test carried out by a group of doctors. 

The history of diseases and their medical conditions were asked of the participants and their weight and stamina were checked. One of the main criteria is that they should be within the age of 21 to 40. In Avaniyapuram, more than 1,000 youngsters had arrived, though only 717 qualified as participants. As the event is conducted in Alanganallur on Friday, the registration process for bulls will commence on Wednesday.  As jallikattu will be held after two years in Alanganallur, there is an evident enthusiasm seen both among participants and number of spectators are expected to be more than the usual.