Tamil Nadu govt mulling on unique IDs for Jallikattu bulls

Chennai: The Stalin government is working to provide Aadhaar-like unique IDs to bulls participating in Jallikattu, by recording their unique identifiers such as nose prints and to create a comprehensive data bank with their details.

Every year around 16,000 to 19,000 bulls participate in the Jallikattu or bull racing that is conducted across 20 districts of Tamil Nadu.

The state government is trying to streamline the traditional sport and to bring the whole Jallikattu and Bull racing tournaments in a single platform so that there is an organized set-up for the sport.

The Tamil Nadu e-governance agency will join hands with the Tamil Nadu Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences to build a new portal that will have all the information regarding Jallikattu bulls across the state.

The state government, according to sources, does not have specific details of the number of Jallikattu bulls in the state and the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department will establish a dedicated platform to track the well-being and engagement of the bulls.

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The Government of Tamil Nadu conducts Jallikattu events in Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniyapuram Jallikattu events from January 14 to 17. However, several sports enthusiasts and bull sport lovers organize such events in small villages and towns across the state from January to May 31. This is after taking permission from the respective district administrations that include police, revenue and health departments.

The new portal will help reduce the time required for granting approval for the Jallikattu tournaments that are held in several villages and mofussil towns in Tamil Nadu.

The health condition of the bulls and their specifics will be uploaded in the portal. It may be recalled that there were strong protests in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu against the delay in granting approval for the Jallikattu tournament.

Bullfighting or Jallikattu is considered a traditional sport in Tamil Nadu which commences from Pongal (January 15) and continues till May. A raging bull is conquered by youths and in the milieu several get injured and gory deaths also. However, Jalikattu and bull fights continue in Tamil Nadu as a symbol of manliness and the remnants of Dravidian culture.

With inputs from agencies

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