In a significant push for modernization and safety, members of the Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Training Centre have demanded mandatory live score displays on large screens at all jallikattu events. The demand was made during a demonstration in Madurai on Monday, aiming to bring transparency and fairness to the traditional bull-taming sport.
Core Demands for Transparency and Safety
The protest was held in front of the Madurai collectorate during the weekly public grievance meeting. The members insisted that real-time scoring, similar to systems used in mainstream sports like cricket and football, is essential. Mudakathan Mani, the president of the centre, argued that the current practice of recording scores in notebooks leads to a lack of immediate visibility and makes it difficult to challenge results after an event concludes.
"We cannot trust what someone writes in their notebook, because we will only see it after the event, and then it is difficult to challenge," Mani stated. He emphasized that a large screen would ensure transparency in scoring and prize distribution, upholding the heritage of the sport.
Enhanced Medical Support and Compensation
Beyond scoring transparency, the group presented a series of critical safety and welfare demands. To prevent fatalities, they have requested the deployment of mobile medical units equipped with surgical kits at event venues. This measure aims to provide immediate emergency care, potentially saving lives by eliminating the need to travel up to 20 kilometers for treatment in some cases.
Furthermore, the centre has called for a comprehensive support system for players who suffer fatal injuries. Their demands include:
- Providing medical insurance coverage for all jallikattu players.
- Granting a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of deceased players.
- Offering government jobs to the next of kin of those who lose their lives in the sport.
Addressing Favoritism and Official Response
Mani also raised concerns about potential bias in the administration of the sport. He urged authorities to consult with all jallikattu associations when making decisions, expressing worry that favoritism is being shown towards only a select few groups.
The petition containing all these demands was later submitted to the Madurai District Collector, K J Praveen Kumar. The collector acknowledged the concerns and assured the petitioners that the issues would be looked into, providing a hopeful note for the advocates of reform in the traditional sport.
