Iceman’s Realm

Jallikattu! Come January 15th and the populace in most parts of Tamil Nadu are all ready to play this sport as as a part of Pongal celebration. This century old sport is no joke, for this hazardous feature is where man’s gallantry is pitted against the might of the bulls. Injuries, bloodshed, and deaths are quite common in this and those gory scenes have not been detered even a little. Over the years several men have been gored to death and although efforts are being taken to ban this sport, the spirit to celebrate it continues unabated. Years ago, the person who tamed the bull for the longest duartion won the hands of a belle. But now, they have changed the prize for the bull tamer, or probably the matador, as well as the rules which were followed. At the end of the day, the person who is adjudged as the winner goes home with a wad of cash, jewells, bicycles and lots more. This sport not only injures the participants, but also the onlookers who stand on the other side of the barricades. With the lives of both the participants who may lose their life and the bystanders, who are in peril anytime, do you think this sport should still be practised in our state?