The sport, particularly popular in southern districts of the state and banned by the Apex court last year, is now being used as a political tool. Coming under pressure from the Dravidian parties, the Centre too is planning to pave way for resumption of this sport in 2016. It is significant that this week, the Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has hinted at some resolution saying, “Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, bullock cart race in Maharashtra, Kambala in Karnataka and some sort of race using bullocks in Punjab has been traditionally and culturally practised for centuries. We want to respect that but also ensure that there should be no cruelty.”

The BJP seems to be doing some political calculation on the Jallikattu issue. The party believes that by promoting the sport, it can establish a foothold in the state. Tamil Nadu has been under the sway of the Dravidian parties since 1967 and they have projected Jallikattu as a distinct Tamil culture and not as a Hindu religious festival.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa prepared the ground in August when she requested the Prime Minister to lift the ban onJallikattu. She kept up the pressure during the Winter session asking her Members to raise it in Parliament. The DMK and other members also raised it. In a letter to Prime Minister Modi last week she wrote, “... the Government of India may consider promulgating an ordinance enabling the conduct of Jallikattu during Pongal. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urge you to have the ordinance promulgated expeditiously.” She has called for suitable amendments in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 specifically exempting Jallikattu along with other exemptions.

The DMK too did not lag behind. The party Treasurer M.K. Stalin blaming both the centre and the state government warned on December 17 in a Face Book posting, 'If the Centre and state don't take steps for removing the ban and hold Jallikattu during the coming Pongal festival, I myself will lead a struggle against this after seeking approval from (DMK President) Kalaignar (Karunanidhi).'

The PMK founder S. Ramadoss too has urged the Centre to pass an ordinance allowing Jallikattu to be conducted during next month’s Pongal festival while his son Anbumani Ramdoss had met Modi and stressed the issue. The other Dravidian parties like the MDMK and DMDK have been demanding the resumption of the sport. Members of the People's Welfare Front -Vaiko's MDMK, CPM, CPI and Thirumavalavan-led Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi - have planned a protest in Madurai while the Congress has also joined the others. The chorus is mainly due to the vote-bank politics.

What is Jallikattu? It is similar to the famous bullfight in Spain, which is watched by thousands of people cheering the man who tames the bull. Unlike the Spanish bullfights, the Jallikattu is not aimed to kill the bulls but only to tame them and take away the prize money tied to their horns. The animal welfare activists in India since 2007 have demanded the sport to be banned for what they describe as massive cruelties to animals. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court, which held on May 7, 2014, “Forcing and pulling the bull by a nose rope into the narrow, closed enclosure or ‘vadi vassal’ (entry point), subjecting it to all forms of torture, fear, pain and suffering by forcing it to go the arena and also over-powering it in the arena by bull tamers, are not for the well-being of the animal.” The verdict explains in a nutshell what Jallikattu means.

The Animal Welfare Board of India had argued in the apex court about the cruel manner in which the bull fight was conducted across the state. The court also struck down a 2011 Tamil Nadu law regulating the conduct of Jallikattu. Recently, scores of celebrities, including award winning filmstar Vidya Balan and Indian Test captain Virat Kohli, had signed a petition supporting the animal rights advocacy group seeking upholding of the ban.

The Jallikattu supporters argue that there is evidence in Bhagvata Puranam and Vishnu Puranam. Over the centuries, the village landlords converted this into a gallery sport and also grew sturdy bulls to participate in the sport. It is also claimed to be a distinct Tamil culture.

The poll scene in the state is still hazy. The DMK has already sent hints to the Congress and the DMDK chief Vijayakant , a one time ally of the AIADMK while IUML may also join this alliance. As for AIADMK, it is likely to align with AIFB-AISMK (Actor Sarath Kumar’s party). The BJP is also wooing DMDK. It is too early to predict the final picture but all of them will make use of the Jallikattu issue because the Dravidian parties have always used emotional issues to get votes. (IPA Service)