"We may bring Jallikattu as the next WWE": discussing Jallikattu at Chennai ComicCon

On February 18, 2024, PETA India held a campaign of "End Speciesism!" in Chennai ComicCon. Here is how the conversation with one of the audience went, about Jallikattu.

allikattu, the bull-taming sport, is often shielded from criticism because "it is culture", "it is traditional", "we don't kill the bull", "it is my identity" and what not.

But look at it from the bull's perspective. He needs to be tamed precisely because others were agitating him, forcing him to drink alcohol, twisting his tail, poking him with pointed objects, beating him among many things.

And when he is let "free", a group of people is ruining being that terrified bull, chasing him, only to catch hold of him to show how strong you are? While there is a huge crowd gathered to find amusement in bullying of that bull, having complete disregard for an innocent's exploitation.

If we were to swap your place with the bull, would you be willing to justify that?

And then, there is media who would be reporting about people who are hurt in the fest; but ignore the unwilling participant in this sport.

A lot many people claim it is part of the culture and far too many people would be in support of this sport. But it is also abusive to the bull. Once you can see from the victim's perspective, don't say "it is part of the culture" to cover up the apparent inability as an individual to put an end to Jallikattu. Saying that it is part of the tradition is only granting more power to the mob to continue this horrific sport, without facing scrutiny.

How do you suppose we weed out unjust parts of tradition when individuals, who understand this is barbaric, are unwilling to speak against it?