Chennai: The first jallikattu event of the season was held at Malathankulam village in Ariyalur district today. As many as 500 bulls and 300 players took part in the event.
After raising the ban on conducting the traditional bull-embracing sport of Tamilnadu in 2017, jallikattu is being conducted every from pre-Pongal to post-Pongal season for over 60 days during the Tamil months of Margazhi, Thai and Maasi.
This year, the event is happening after following a lot of rules put to implementation by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
AWBI Chairman S P Gupta on Saturday asked the State government to ensure that animals are not subjected to cruelty during jallikattu. The Chairman and members of the board had a meeting with officials on the implementation of various guidelines of the Supreme Court and the Animal Welfare Board.
Later, addressing the reporters, Gupta said the government would provide the board with details of forthcoming events throughout the State, after which inspection committees would be formed for taking appropriate action.
Also, he added, “Our mandate is to prevent cruelty and suffering to animals. Nothing more, nothing less. We are not against any culture or any event or any festival. We told the State government in clear terms to ensure that there is no cruelty to animals.”