Maiden jallikattu thrills Komarapalayam people

Organisers said that the event was a tribute to students and youth who participated in the pro-jallikattu protests held at Komarapalayam and in other parts of the State and by Tamils elsewhere. 

Over 260 bulls and more than 300 tamers took part in the event that was conducted by Namma Komarapalayam (an organisation) and the Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Peravai. 

One of the organizers Bala told DTNext that as many as 130 bulls were brought from Madurai region, while the rest were from different places across the state like Pollachi, Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Theni. Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise P. Thangamani inaugurated the event. Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme Minister V Saroja and Jallikattu Peravai president P Rajasekar also participated. 

“The notification to conduct jallikattu stated that the sport can be conducted only in traditional venues. Since it is the first time the sport was planned in Komarapalayam we had to move the Madras High Court and include Komarapalayam in the gazette,” one of the organisers said. 

Similarly, plans are under way to conduct jallikattu for the first time at CODISSIA and Sulur in Coimbatore district as a tribute to those who protested against the ban on the traditonal sport. “Our aim is to conduct the sport throughout the State,” he added.