Tamil Nadu set to welcome Jallikattu Premier League

What's the story?

Earlier this month, Tamil Nadu was abuzz with excitement with the announcement of the return of their favourite cricket team - Chennai Super Kings - in the 2018 Indian Premier League season. However, there's more reason for them to celebrate as a 'Jallikattu Premier League' has been launched in the southern state.

The league, which was hit by a string of controversies, will see some of the best bull tamers in the city go head to head in the competition that will be organized by the Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Peravai and the Chennai Jallikattu Amaippu on East Coast Road.

In case you didn't know...

Jallikattu is a traditional game or sport in the state of Tamil Nadu where a bull is let free in a crowd of people who aim to grab the bull's hump or the bull's back with both arms while the bull attempts to escape the hold.

The sport is generally conducted as part of the Pongal celebrations on the 'Mattu Pongal Day' and is a big occasion in the state.

The heart of the matter

Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014 after being labelled under the category of 'Animal Cruelty' after repeated complaints by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) and PETA. However, the sport remained active and was practised under the Jallikattu Act No 27 of 2009 until 2014 when it was brought down.

In 2016, the ban was lifted for a small stretch of time before it was brought down again which irked the locals that also led to 'Save Jallikattu' protests all over the state which consequently resulted in the Supreme Court legalizing the sport.

While the animal protest groups have not had a say about the upcoming league, a lot of anticipation will be amongst the locals to see the rise of their latest league.

What's next?

The league's formats and other details will be revealed soon. But for now, Jallikattu fans can prepare to celebrate the upcoming gala celebrations. The first edition is tentatively slated to begin on January 7 next year.

Author's take

After a long battle between the court, animal protection groups and the state of Tamil Nadu, the traditional sport of Jallikattu will hopefully give genesis to a new beginning which will be well in the spirit of the celebrations.