Women Bull Owners Steal the Show at Palamedu Jallikattu
Madurai witnessed a remarkable shift at the Palamedu jallikattu on Friday. While men traditionally dominate the arena, women bull owners emerged as fierce competitors this year. They released their powerful bulls through the vaadivasal, challenging the male participants.
Confident Female Participants
Several women expressed strong determination. One owner stated she tried to field her bull named Vetri last year without success. This year, she secured the opportunity and arrived with winning confidence.
Lavanya, a first-year college student from Thenpalanji village, brought her bull Ayyanar for the first time. She described raising the animal like a child, showing deep personal connection.
Divyadharshini, a fourth-generation cattle rearer and college student, participated with her bull Manickam. She explained how her father involved the family in rearing bulls from calf stage, sparking her interest. She personally trained Manickam by thrusting its horns into sand and walking it regularly.
Event Statistics and Injuries
Organizers released 870 bulls in nine rounds during the event. A total of 461 youths attempted to tame these animals. The intense competition resulted in 37 injuries among bull tamers, owners, and spectators. Medical staff referred eight people to Government Rajaji Hospital for further treatment.
All bulls and tamers underwent medical examinations before entering the arena, ensuring basic safety measures.
Winners and Prizes
Ajith from Pondhukkampatti emerged as the champion by taming 17 bulls. Prabhakaran of Podhumbu secured runner-up position by taming 16 bulls. Chief Minister M K Stalin sponsored a car for the best tamer, which Ajith received. Prabhakaran won a bike as his prize.
Sridharan of Kulamangalam earned a tractor for owning the best-performing bull. Tamil Selvan of Pudukottai claimed second place in this category, receiving a cow and calf of native breed.
Schedule Controversy
The event faced timing issues. Originally scheduled for 7am, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin officially flagged it off at 9.36am due to his late arrival. This delay sparked criticism from political figures.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition R B Udhayakumar questioned whether jallikattu was now being held for Udhayanidhi or for Stalin. He emphasized the traditional timing between 7am and 8am, noting the delayed vaadivasal opening caused public distress.
Ceremonial Aspects
Temple bulls received release prior to the main jallikattu start. District Collector K J Praveen Kumar administered the oath. Commercial Taxes Minister P Moorthy felicitated the winners. Superintendent of Police B K Arvind and organizing committee members attended the event.
Transgender Community Participation
Keerthana, a transgender woman, submitted a representation to the district collector. She sought permission for transgender community members to release bulls in all three jallikattu events. She reported that 13 tokens were submitted, with one clearance for Avaniyapuram and four for Palamedu.
Keerthana explained that a five-member transgender committee rears bulls. She expressed happiness about receiving permission to participate in the jallikattu arena, marking progress for community inclusion.
