Russian President Vladimir Putin not to visit TN to watch Jallikattu

On Tuesday, it was clarified that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not visit Tamil Nadu to watch Jallikattu, the bull-taming sport during the festival of Pongal. Earlier in the day, an official in the Madurai district claimed to a private news publication that Putin was likely to visit Alanganallur, a village near Madurai to witness the event in January 2020. Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar, who is a Member of Legislative Assembly from Thirumangalam constituency in Madurai maintained that there was no confirmation of Putin’s visit.  

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The official had claimed, "The world-famous Alanganallur (a village near Madurai) Jallikkatttu event ahead of Pongal festival attracts thousands of viewers. People from foreign countries routinely visit the spot to witness Jallikkattu. We have heard that Putin would visit the event along with the PM Modi." 

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An integral part of Pongal

Jallikattu is a sport, considered as an integral part of the three-day Pongal festival. During this event, a bull is let loose into a crowd of people. The participants are supposed to not just control the bull for the longest time possible, but also grab the bag of coins which is attached to the horns of the bull. The bull species called Bos indicus or humped cattle are specifically bred for Jallikattu.

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Jallikattu ban overturned

Animal rights activists approached the Supreme Court seeking a ban on this practice. Thereafter, the SC ruled in their favour in 2016. This led to an outbreak of emotions in Tamil Nadu and thousands of people protested in Chennai against the perceived attack on their identity. Political parties including the ruling AIADMK and the opposition demanded that the SC verdict had to be overturned. Thereafter, both the state and the Centre worked in tandem to ensure that an ordinance was promulgated in January 2017 to permit Jallikattu.  

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