Topic: Case Study.
7. Jallikattu has been known to be practiced during the Tamil classical period (400-100 BCE). It was common among the Ayar people who lived in the ‘Mullai’ geographical division of the ancient Tamizh Nadu. Yet despite its cultural significance, Jallikattu continues to face increasing scrutiny in light of animal rights issues.
Some people consider Jallikattu a cruel sport. Many animal rights activists often protest Jallikattu, citing the needless endangerment of the bull and bullfighter. As there were incidents of injury and death associated with the sport, both to the participants and to the animals forced into it, animal rights organizations have called for a ban to the sport, resulting in the court banning it several times over the past years. However, with protest from the people against the ban, a new ordinance was made in 2017 to continue the sport
Some cities around the world where Jallikattu type bullfighting was once popular, including Coslada (Spain), Mouans-Sartoux (France), and Teocelo (Mexico), have even declared themselves to be anti-bullfighting cities. Other places, including some towns in Catalonia (Spain), have ceased killing the bull in the fight, but continue bullfighting.
To other people, the spectacle of the bullfight is not mere sport. The event is not only culturally significant, but also a fine art in which the bullfighter is trained in a certain style and elicits emotion through the act of the fight. Writer Alexander Fiske-Harrison, in his research and training as a bullfighter, defends the practice and circumstances of the bull, “In terms of animal welfare, the fighting bull lives four to six years whereas the meat cow lives one to two. …Those years are spent free roaming…” And others similarly argue that the death of the bull in the ring is more humane than the death of animals in a slaughterhouse.
- What are the ethical issues involved in the above case?
- Do you believe that Jallikattu is an ethically wrong practice or a justifiable cultural event? Explain your reasoning.
(Answer in 250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Mention the conflicts between cultural practices and modern-day ethical norms that arise in the society.
Body:
- Mention the ethical issues and ethical dilemmas involved in the given case study such as cultural conservation v/s animal rights and others issues.
- Mention the pros and cons of continuing the tradition of Jallikattu and frame an argument either in favour or against the practice by giving ethical and practical reasons to support your argument.
Conclusion:
Conclude by balancing the conservation of traditions at the same time let go of certain aspects of it in the light of present-day ethics.
