Madurai gears up for annual jallikattu shows

The meeting was attended by officials from Animal Husbandry, Fire and Rescue Department, HR & CE, tourism, revenue and police departments and representatives from various jallikattu committees.

The participants took a pledge to conduct the event in a smooth and safe manner. Officials explained the safety measures to be followed during the traditional sport. They sought the cooperation of the jallikattu organising committee to make the event a success.

From the organisers’ side, a key demand was extra time to tame bulls during the event.

After the review meeting, the Collector said that there will be no change in the dates of jallikattu events. “The first jallikattu will be conducted at Avaniyapuram on January 14 followed by the event at Palamedu on January 15 and Alanganallur on January 16,” he added.

The bulls will be qualified based on their height, age and teeth. (The bull should be at least four feet tall, three years old and should have at least two teeth).

Ten teams of veterinarians have been formed to select bulls and each team will have six doctors. In addition to this, two mobile medical teams will be posted at the venues to check the bulls at the entry points. Three fire-tenders along with 30 personnel will be deployed at the venues.

Strong barricades will be put up to prevent bulls from running amok into the crowd. Galleries will also be set up for the spectators. There will be heightened vigil and strict adherence to safety norms will also be ensured. (Last year people who came to witness Jallikattu died when the bulls injured them at the collection points).

Jallikattu will be held between 8 am and 3 pm in all the places.

Jallilkattu, is celebrated mainly in the southern districts, Villages such as Alanganallur, Pelamedu and Avaniyapuram are popular for this sport. Though jallikattu could not be conducted in 2015 and 2016 due to a legal tangle, the sport was permitted in 2017 after a massive protest all over the state.