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Tamil superstars Suriya, Dhanush, Haasan back Jallikattu

  • Suriya, Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, Kamal Haasan, Simbu speak in favour of Jalikattu
  • In cinemas, the sport has been used as a metaphor to prove the hero's strength and courage in the movie.
  • The Union Environment Minister Anil Dave has recently said Jallikattu is a "non-violent" and "friendly" game.
The power of Tamil superstars back up Jallikattu support
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First Published Jan 11, 2017, 10:11 AM IST

In cinemas, the sport has been used as a metaphor to prove the hero's strength and courage in the movie.

 

During this sport, a bull vaulter is expected to hang on to the bull's hump for a stipulated distance or a minimum of three jumps made by the bull. 

 

However, since 2014, this sport has been banned because it involves cruelty to animals. Later, The Supreme Court had upheld the ban and also questioned the Central government’s decision to allow the usage of bulls in Jalikattu.

 

 

 

The Union Environment Minister Anil Dave has recently said Jallikattu is a "non-violent" and "friendly" game and also said it is an integral part of Pongal festivities. 

 

Now with the Pongal Festival just three days away, celebrities of Kollywood have spoken out against the ban. They have collectively agreed that the sport is part of Tamil cultural identity and it is very significant for the survival of the native breed.

 

Simbu was one of the first one to voice his support for the pro-Jallikattu movement. Last year he took to social media and expressed his love for this sport, “Jallikattu is the cultural symbol of our state and it is our pride too. We have been practising this art of valour for years, and it is utterly disgraceful when some groups and individuals manage to misguide and misinform the authorities of the governance and judiciary on this art that is considered as a cultural symbol of our state.”

 

 

Actor Dhanush said -  “#Jallikattu is an integral element of the voice and identity of Tamilians. #ISupportJallikattu #WeNeedJallikattu #TamilCulture,” he posted on Twitter.

 

During a media interaction, Suriya said, “The number of our bull breeds have come down from 200 to just 30. And my question is, what are we doing to protect and preserve the existing breeds? Several of our bulls are getting extinct. And the bulls are part of our culture and identity. Introduce a few regulations, but do not abolish the sport.” 

 

 

At the India Today South Conclave 2017 session, superstar Kamal Haasan too showed his love for the cultural game. He mentioned that if Jalikattu was to be banned, they should ban biryani too. He also said,  unlike Spanish sport of bullfighting, in Jallikattu bulls are not harmed as they are treated like gods in Tamil Nadu." 

 

 

Sivakarthikeyan also took to social media and supported it with a hashtag  #WeNeedJaillikattu campaign. 

 

Actor turned music composer GV Prakash has announced a new single called Kombu Vacha Singamda in support of the sport. He took to Twitter and wrote, “#KombuVachaSingamda entire revenue generated thru the song will be given to struggling farmer families … an initiative from our side.”  

 

 

"Reacting to the latest change of status to Pongal holidays from compulsory to restricted by the central government, he posted, “????????????? Does TN belong to India or not ?”

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