Members of the Jallikattu protection committee in Trichy have formally urged the district administration to scrap the online token distribution system for the upcoming bull-taming events in the district. They submitted a petition to the Trichy District Collector on Monday, voicing strong concerns that the current digital process is unfairly excluding native bulls from their own regional competitions.
Allegations of Systemic Bias and Collusion
The protestors, led by A Ravi Kumar, President of Samooga Neethi Peravai, presented a stark picture. They claimed that a majority of bulls participating in Trichy's Jallikattu events actually come from other districts. According to the committee, the online token system has become a significant barrier for local bull owners, who often fail to secure slots through the digital platform.
"Local owners cannot secure tokens via the online system, so their bulls miss out. We therefore demand that this system be completely abolished," stated Ravi Kumar. The supporters went further, alleging possible collusion between certain government officials and event organizers in the management of the online issuance. They accused authorities of deliberately limiting server availability and selectively distributing tokens to favoured participants.
Financial Burden and Threat to Local Bull Breeds
The committee highlighted the severe economic pressures on traditional bull rearers. Maintaining and training a single bull for Jallikattu costs owners between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month. Without the opportunity to participate regularly in events, most owners would be forced to sell their animals for slaughter, leading to the potential disappearance of prized local breeds.
Furthermore, owners alleged that Jallikattu has been transformed into a profit-driven activity. They claimed that tokens, which should be allocated fairly, are being openly sold for prices ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, a practice that heavily favours wealthy participants from outside the district.
Demands for Quota and Government Support
To ensure the survival of the tradition and local livestock, the committee has put forth specific demands. Their primary request is to reserve at least 70% of the participation slots for bulls and tamers hailing exclusively from Trichy district.
"We insist on reserving at least 70% of slots for bulls and tamers from Trichy district. This is the only way local bulls can compete fairly. Without it, they risk disappearing entirely," Ravi Kumar emphasized. Additionally, the bull owners called upon the ruling DMK government to honor its election promise by providing a monthly incentive of Rs 1,000 to all bull owners, a measure they believe is crucial for sustaining the cultural practice.
The petition marks a significant moment of organized resistance from local stakeholders who feel that the digitization of a deeply rooted tradition is undermining its core spirit and threatening the livelihoods and cultural heritage of Trichy's rural communities.
