37 People Injured During 950 Bull-Strong Madurai Jallikattu Event
Jallikattu was held at Avaniapuram, Madurai district, on Sunday after a gap of three years.
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At least 36 people were injured at the Jallikattu event at Madurai district’s Avanipuram in Madurai district on Sunday.
The event, which saw participation by 1,200 bull tamers and a reported 950 bulls, was held amid tight security, following the state government’s nod to hold the sport under strict conditions.
The bulls and bull tamers were subjected to medical tests before the event.
The Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his intervention in the Jallikattu matter.
In order to win a bout of Jallikattu, a bull vaulter is expected to hang on to the bull's hump for a stipulated distance or for a minimum of three jumps by the bull.
Prizes are awarded to the bull owners if the tamer fails to hold on.
The law was passed with the cooperation of the central government following a week-long statewide protest by Tamil Nadu's youths who demanded Jallikattu be allowed. The Supreme Court banned the sport in 2014.
Normally, Jallikattu would be held as part of the Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu. However, it was not held during Pongal this year due to the Supreme Court ban.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Alanganallur in Madurai, where Jallikattu will be organised on Friday.
With the Tamil Nadu government promulgating an ordinance and subsequently getting a Bill passed in the state assembly allowing Jallikattu, the event is being held in several parts of the state in the past few days.
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