Ox race was a popular sport associated with farming culture A ban was imposed after Supreme Court order banning use of bulls as performing animals Despite the ban, Kalapoottu is being held in various regions across Malappuram
With the Tamil Nadu government promulgating an ordinance to conduct jallikattu amidst widespread agitations across the state, Kerala government is planning to take up measures to facilitate performance of Kalapoottu (ox racing), a popular sport in northern Kerala. The move follows strong demands from people of Malappuram, Kozhikode and Palakkad districts.
State government imposed a ban on the traditional sport after an order of Supreme Court in May 2014. The apex court order was based on a notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests which banned used of bulls as performing animals. The government had issued an order in 2011.
Despite the ban, Kalapoottu was held in various regions across Malappuram, and a delegation of the lovers of the sport had approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in June 2016, seeking support to revive the event.
People of Pullaloor, the village famous for Kalapoottu, are hopeful that the developments in Tamil Nadu will lead to coming back of their favourite sport. Tamil Nadu has asked Centre to amend Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA)Act to lift the ban on jallikattu.
The villages of Pullaloor are of the opinion that Kalapoottu is closely associated with farming and is part of their culture.
Ox race was a main cultural in various parts of northern Kerala, attracting hundreds of sports enthusiasts from across Malabar. The ban was imposed as part of the implementation of PCA.
