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

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