As famous Jallikattu season is presently underway in Tamil Nadu,it is reported that about 57 people have been injured so far in the bull-taming sport. According to media source, 44 people, including bull tamers, handlers and the general public, were injured at the Avaniyapuram jallikattu event in Madurai.Eight of the badly injured persons were rushed to the Government Rajaji Hospital in the district and all are reportedly out of danger.
In Pudukkottai district, 13 people were reportedly injured.Out of them four injured persons were sent to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital for treatment while other nine persons were given medical aid at the event.
As per media source, the Madurai district administration has enrolled participants in a mandatory insurance scheme that is applicable in the event of death. The jallikattu participants were reportedly urged to visit their banks to sign up for the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) scheme on Monday that would provide them with a risk coverage of upto Rs 2 lakh.
Speaking to media, S Natarajan, the District Collector of Madurai said that the district administration launched the initiative so that the bull-tamers wouldn’t need to undergo too much stress or tension before taking part in the event. “By insuring, they could compete in jallikattu with a free mind,” the collector added.He further said to introduce such scheme was also for a another reason as the district administration enquired and found that, many bull-tamers had not applied for any insurance.
Due to huge protests across Tamil Nadu, the banned bull-taming sport was legitimised in 2017 through an ordinance by the state government of Tamil Nadu. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was also amended for the state with a justification that jallikattu plays a important role in preserving and promoting the culture and tradition and local tourism as well of the state.
Jallikattu is said to be the pride of Tamil culture and is being celebrated every year in the 10th month which falls in January as per the Tamil calendar.
