HC gives green light to Jallikattu

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on Friday allowed organisers to go ahead with the annual Jallikattu (bull taming event) at the famed Alanganallur and Avaniyapuram. However, it said organisers must strictly abide by the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the earlier directions of the High Court while conducting the event.

Allowing petitions from the Alanganallur Town Panchayat president Geetha and Jallikattu committee member of Avaniyapuram A K Kannan seeking permission to conduct the Jallikattu, a division bench comprising Justices M Jaichandren and S Nagamuthu stipulated certain conditions. “Double barricades, not less than a height of 8 ft, should be placed at the end of the bull taming area where the bulls are collected and retained till the completion of the event,” the judges said.

Besides, the bull collection yard should be of an area of about half an acre. Additional persons should be deployed at the bull collection point to ensure that the bulls are not allowed to come out form the area. The bulls, which have completed the race, should be tied to fixed structures.

Besides, the court said that provisions should be made to feed the bulls and more policemen should be deployed near the bull collection yard. A gate should also be erected in the collection yard so that the bulls do not enter the taming area. Provision must also be made to strew the surface with coconut fibre.

The judges also directed organisers to make arrangement for medical facilities and keep 25 ambulances on standby. Spectators must be confined to a gallery and not allowed to enter the bull taming arena. All bull tamers must be provided identify cards a day before the event and subjected to a medical checkup. A similar exercise must be held for the bulls.

The judges said that no drugs should be given to bulls before or after the event.