The number of celebrity voices supporting the lift on the ban on the animal-based sport jallikattu has seen a rise in the past week, with stars such as Kamal Haasan, A.R. Rahman, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu and more joining the chorus.
On Sunday, after it was announced that an ordinance had been passed that would allow Tamil Nadu to hold jallikattu events for a period of six months, Tollywood actor Siddharth tweeted, “Emotion-Dignity-Unity-Protest->VICTORY! #Jallikattu returns & with it a new voice for our people. No celebrity needed. #Proud #Tamil #Youth (sic)”.
The argument that most of these celebrities are promulgating is the fact that jallikattu is an ancient Tamil tradition that has been part of their culture for thousands of years.
However, animal rights activists believe that it takes away from the real issue with the sport — that the animals involved are treated mercilessly and cruelly.
Vasanthi Vadi, secretary, People For Animals, an animal welfare organisation, says, “Animals are of no value to these celebrities... politicians and stars are using them to get a few extra votes and likes. No one understands what the whole concept is about.
“In 2014, the Supreme Court told the state to organise jallikattu undersupervision, but the feedback that came from those events showed that you cannot organise jallikattu without animal cruelty. Cruelty is inherent to the sport.”
Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the organisation that spearheaded the movement against the sport, says that celebrities themselves may be bullied into supporting the sport, and don’t really know what it’s all about.
“Some actors may just not be fully aware of the cruelty to bulls and loss of human life that has been part of Jallikattu events. However, Jallikattu supporters had also been bullying celebrities — especially on social media — with threats and misogynistic statements while demanding that they support cruelty to bulls. If a star or any other person relents, how can this possibly be considered genuine support?” says Poorva Joshipura, CEO, PETA India.
Padmaja Bundla, an animal rights activist from the city agrees and adds, “I was very shocked when the so-called animal lovers came in support for Jallikattu. It’s in no doubt a hypocritical stance and I think religious sentiments are over powering their sight to see cruelty towards animals.”
