Watch: Jallikattu, prize money and a dead man

Come January and Pongal, the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu light up with festivities. And in the midst of all the fanfare and a day after the Tahi Pongal, with the harvest having concluded, an indigenous sport, Jalikattu, comes to life.

On Tuesday, however, things took a turn for the ugly when in Madurai, 75 people sustained injuries and one person was killed during the three-day Jallikattu festivities.

The deceased is said to be 22-year bull tamer, who according to local accounts, was gored by a raging bull.

In all, 1,100 bulls and 900 bull tamers are said to be participating in the festivities at Madurai.

As per media reports, 25 of those injured required major stitches.

Watch the festivities here.

The event had cash prizes on offer for the animals and the tamers.

A tractor worth INR 11 lakh was handed to the ‘best bull’ while a car worth INR 8 lakh was given to the ‘best bull tamer’.

Jalikattu, the bull-taming sport, was banned in 2014 by the Supreme Court owing to animal cruelty. However, an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017 permits the staging of the sport in Tamil Nadu between January and May every year.

Also, in 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the practice of Jallikattu in the 'Animal Welfare Board v Union of India case'.