Alanganallur Jallikattu - Tamil Nadu
In May 2014, due to incidents of injury and deaths to both participants as well as to the animals pushed into it, the Supreme Court of India banned Jallikattu. This was commanded under the petition of Animal activists and PETA India. Later in January 2016, The Government of India passed an order exempting the sport from all other performances that involve bullfight. Subsequently, on 14th January 2016, the Supreme Court again upheld the ban on the event, leading to widespread protests all over Tamil Nadu.
After the ban's announcement, Tamil Nadu saw grave protests and rallies all over the state, even crossing the territories and enjoying support from other parts of the country as well. On 8th January 2017, the state had to combat with thousands of people on the road at Chennai Marina, opposing the ban on Jallikattu. The participants walked from the lighthouse to the labor statue bearing posters saying ‘save Jallikattu'. Churches conducted prayer mass, students from various towns started rallies, women went for hunger strikes, political parties announced noncooperation, and celebrities extended support, all these in the wake of the prohibition. Numerous Jallikattu events were held across Tamil Nadu in protest of the ban, and hundreds of participants were detained by police in response.
Simultaneously, the Supreme Court ordered a stay to the sport after considering the Animal Welfare Board of India's petitions challenging the central government's new notification defending Jallikattu. Hence to fuming unrest, the government and Supreme Court collectively decided to postpone the final verdict on the issue.
However, the Governor of Tamil Nadu permitted the continuation of Jallikattu on 17th January 2017, but this was only under a new ordinance designed. On 23rd January 2017, the Tamil Nadu government also declared a bi-partisan bill, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accession, exempting Jallikattu from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960). Hence, under this exemption, the first legal Jallikattu was scheduled on 1st February 2018 in Madurai district's Alanganallur region.
