Over 50 doctors, PETA sound COVID-19 alert on 'Jallikattu'

Over 50 doctors and people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PETA India appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to immediately withdraw the permission for the annual bull taming event JallikattuJallikattu is typically celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal celebrations on the Mattu Pongal day which occurs annually during this monthOver 50 doctors have signed a letter to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Health Minister C Vijayabaskar urging them to immediately withdraw the permission which the doctors warn poses a grave risk to the general public because of the ongoing Covid19 pandemicThe appeal is in response to the Tamil Nadu governments recent order allowing the conduct of Jallikattu events with hundreds of people present People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PETA India has also asked the state government to stop Jallikattu eventsThe letter signed by 50 doctors states To prevent the rapid spread of Covid19 and to protect public health as well as to ease the pressure on the healthcare professionals nonessential activities such as Jallikattu events which lead to unnecessary gatherings of people must not be allowedThe letter also states Since the Tamil Nadu government legalised Jallikattu in 2017 at least 22 bulls and 57 humans have reportedly died while 3632 humans were injured in events organised throughout the stateThey also warn that even more human deaths will likely occur because of Covid19 if Jallikattu events are allowed to be organised in the statePETA India Research Associate Dr Ankita Pandey further cautions that more people are expected to die this year not only because of Jallikattu itself but also because of Covid19 If Jallikattu events are not stopped if huge crowds gather to torment bulls society will be tormented too she urges the TN governmentThe healthcare professionals also forewarn that the measures of Covid19 negative certificates for participants and thermal screening of spectators as preconditions for allowing Jallikattu are not enough to stop the spread of the virusAnd their letter further says during the incubation period a contagious person may be tested too early and produce a falsenegative result and not everyone with Covid19 develops or sustains a feverThis event is associated with strength and courage and honours the bull owners However it is undoubtedly cruel to animals In 2014 Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme CourtBut the ban on Jallikattu considered an important authentic tradition and inalienable part of rural societys culture had spurred widespread protests in Tamil Nadu After several years of continuous protests in 2017 the Tamil Nadu government passed the Jallikattu Bill bringing into effect the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tamil Nadu Amendment Act 2017 thereby allowing the conduct of JallikattuAs early as 2010 itself an investigation led by the Animal Welfare Board of India concluded that Jallikattu is inherently cruel to animals Animal welfare organisations such as the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations FIAPO and PETA India have protested against the practice since thenHowever proJallikattu activists countering the animal activists argue that Jallikattu had been known to be practiced during the Tamil classical period 400100 BC and inalienable part of the rural Tamil societys cultureIt was common among the Ayar people who lived in the Mullai geographical division of the ancient Tamil country Later it became a platform for display of bravery and prize money was introduced for participation encouragementA seal from the Indus Valley Civilization depicting the practice is preserved in the National Museum New Delhi A cave painting in white kaolin discovered near Madurai depicting a lone man trying to control a bull is estimated to be about 1500 years oldSeveral references are found in ancient Tamil Sangams literature which described the practice as Yeru thazhuvuthal Bull embracing The modern term Jallikattu or Sallikattu is derived from Salli Coins and Kattu Package which refers to a prize of coins that are tied to the bulls horns and that participants attempt to retrieveKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever