New rules keep shorter bulls out of jallikattu action

Jallikattu is almost synonymous with Madurai as the city hosts some of the best Jallikattu events in the entire state. Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniyapuram are world famous sites, which witness participation of more than a hundred bulls.  

However, this year Madurai district administration introduced a new rule for Jallikattu bulls. At a recent press meet, Madurai Collector K Veera Raghav Rao said that bulls should have a minimum height of four feet to be eligible to enter Jallikattu arena. 

Also, because of the new rule, shorter Jallikattu bulls are not being given eligibility certificates by veterinary doctors. 

Bull owners are now in a fix and have asked the District Administration to revert to the new regulation. Bala from Anaiyur, who has a shorter bull, said the animal belongs to the Tiruchy breed and such breeds are shorter in height. 

“Shorter bulls are one of the toughest to be contained in the arena,” said Bala. He also said that last year his bull had won several prizes in jallikattu events. Mani, also from Anaiyur, had bought a Pudukkottai variety of bull for Rs 1.4 lakh two years ago and the bull has been rejected because of its height. Mani also said that there is a lot of confusion over the new rule as officials and veterinary doctors differ in measuring height. 

While the Collector had said that the hump should be included while measuring the bull’s height, veterinary doctors are doing the contrary. 

“If the measurement is taken according to Collector’s order, shorter bulls would also qualify,” Mani added.  Veterinary doctors at Anaiyur Government Veterinary Hospital said they are measuring heights as per higher officials’ orders. 

A higher official, on request of anonymity, said that when shorter bulls pass through the Vadivasal (a narrow passage through which bulls squeeze into the arena), bull tamers have to bend too low to tame them and in the process, they fall over. This had led to several incidents of injuries in the past, following which the Collector had introduced the new rule.