Tokens issued for bull tamers in Avaniyapuram

Madurai: After the uncertainty over Avaniyapuram jallikattu after it ran into legal problems, the issuing of token (registration) for bull-tamers was held on Saturday. But members from the event’s advisory committee and the general public largely said that this year’s jallikattu – scheduled on January 15 – would comparatively be subdued.

According to sources, compared to last two years, the number of bull tamers who came to register in the event was way lesser. "This year, due to the court case, not many have shown interest in the event," a member of advisory committee A K Kannan said.

The registration for bulls would be held on Sunday.

It may be recalled that the Madurai bench of the Madras high court recently constituted a 20-member Jallikattu organising committee with four in the organising committee and a 16-member advisory committee for the Avaniyapuram jallikattu after a petition, which claimed that the previous committee favoured only a particular community and ignored others, was filed before the court.

A meeting of the newly-formed committee was also held in the collectorate where the points stated by the court were reiterated. Collector S Natarajan emphasized the point that any kind of first right (mudhal mariyadhai) should not be given to a bull, its owner or any other person.

Meanwhile, the joint action committee on Saturday also announced that the general public, who want to donate funds for the Avaniyapuram jallikattu, wish to give prizes or any other contribution, can directly give it to the committee at its camp office. Money can also be sent to the savings account number: 002100050318649 at Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited.