Jallikattu, or Manju Virattu, takes place in Palamedu and Alanganallur, two villages near the temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India and is a cruel contact game in which terrified bulls are surrounded by hundreds of shouting men, are hit with fists, have their tails twisted and pulled - or even snapped and broken – and are jumped on and wrestled to the ground.
There are reports that chili powder is rubbed into the bulls’ eyes, they are given alcohol and then have to undergo the trauma of being chased by mobs who try to overpower and bring them down. Investigations at five Jallikattu events after these regulations had come into place documented bulls being tied so tightly it would cause them severe discomfort and pain, hit with fists, having their tails twisted and pulled, jumped on and wrestled to the ground.
Not only is Jallikattu cruel to animals, it also poses a threat to public safety. In one four-day period in January 2011 again after these regulations came to be, 215 people sustained injuries during Jallikattu events. Out of this, 154 people were spectators who suffered injuries. Two people died.
Animal Right Action Network (ARAN) from Ireland launched a new 'boycott' drive to support efforts in India to enforce an existing ban on the cruel Jallikattu, which is currently going un-enforced and has started contacting Indian officials, tourist agencies and others to inform them of our efforts to highlight the cruel spectacle here in Ireland and across Europe.
* this is an action by ARAN
Act now ►►► contact the Indian Tourism Minister:
- Email. Create your own message or simply copy and paste the example letter at the bottom of this page (don't forget to sign it at the end) and send it to the addresses below.
- Call and leave this page open. The example letter contains all the information you need!
- Send a fax. Simply use our example letter below.
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Contact details:
Ministry of Tourism
Room No. 2, C-1 Hutments
Dalhousie Road
New Delhi - 110 001 (India)
Phone: 00 91 11 2301 6018
Fax: 00 91 11 2301 6018
Email: tourismminister@nic.in
Example letter (courtesy of Our Compass):
I am writing today to share my disturbance regarding the ritual Jallikattu, about which I have learned is characterized by the methodical torture and torment of a bull in a demonstration of manhood, a ceremony celebrating "bravery". During this event, a bull is systematically brutalized, tripped, beaten, jumped on, and wrestled to the ground, and at times chili powder is shoved into the bulls' eyes. This unremitting torment is inflicted on the bull while he is fully conscious, subjecting him to what can only be considered excruciating pain and prolonged suffering even though this activity has been banned. Additionally, it is my understanding that dozens of spectators have historically been injured, some with fatal injuries. I am therefore requesting you enforce the ban and cease this savage event.
While I would never embrace such an egotistical belief that my opinions take precedent over established and sacred customs, any “tradition”, however, that is built on a foundation of extreme animal cruelty, exploitation, and suffering, and which inflicts pain and fear on innocent, sentient animals, is neither justified, nor an expression of historical or manly courage and pride. There can be no honor amongst those who condemn animals to such depraved actions substantiating my disturbance that such animal cruelty is perpetuated by the inaccurate conviction that this ritual confirms bravery.
As such, I, along with a global contingent of concerned citizens, respectfully request that you intervene to ensure the ban is enforced so that no other bulls have to be tormented for cheap human entertainment or obscure traditions. Please provide your voice for others to observe their obligatory duty and responsibility by protecting animals, not condoning their torture; your ethical gesture of compassion would serve as an international model of empathy.
Regrettably, until such a time as the ban is enforced and further bulls not mistreated, I will promote a boycott of India and will share this information with friends, colleagues, and online community networks.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent issue.
[YOUR NAME]
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