Hindu devotees attempt to control a bull during the annual “Jallikattu” bull taming festival.
The government has mandated that all participants must go through Covid tests and a certificate of negative result will be presented as a prerequisite for participation in the annual festival.
- News18.com
- Last update: December 23, 2020 11:56 AM IST
- Edited by: Bharvi dasson
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On Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu government nodded to perform the annual Jallikattu sport that normally takes place after the Pongal festival amid the uprising. COVID-19
cases. Only 300 participants will be able to participate, the government statement read.
Usually thousands of youngsters participate and try to control the bulls but this time the participants will be limited. “While in Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu (another type of bull sport), 300 participants will be allowed to participate, in Eruthuvarattu only 150 participants will be allowed,” the statement read.
“All of these sports must be held only on open ground and 50% of the total visitor capacity will only be able to watch the sport. All visitors will be controlled with thermal scanners, they must wear a mask and follow physical distancing, “he added.
The government has also mandated that all participants must go through Covid tests and a certificate of negative result will be presented as a prerequisite for participation in the annual festival.
In Tamil Nadu, Alanganallur Jallikattu near Madurai is world famous with visitors from various states and countries. Other places that are famous for Jallikattu are Palamedu, small village panchayats in Madurai and other southern districts.
It was in 2017, a month after the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, there was a huge protest in the Marina sands from January 8-23 calling on the government to allow Jallikattu. After the protest, the then Chief Minister O Pannerselvam (current Deputy CM) went to New Delhi and received an order from the Center to allow the sport. The protests ended with police shooting and violence in parts of Chennai.
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