Bull-tamer gored to death during Kuppam Jallikattu

Chittoor: In a tragic development, 22-year-old Abdul Basha, who participated in Jallikattu, died after he was gored by a bull at Peda Baldaru village under Ramakuppam Mandal of Kuppam Assembly Constituency in Chittoor district on Sunday.

Few other young bull-tamers, who participated in the Great Bullock Mylaru Festival, Chittoor’s version of Jallikattu suffered injuries.

Despite police instructions and several protests against Jallikattu, the traditional bull taming sport, the event was conducted at various villages under Ramakuppam Mandal in Chittoor district as part of Sankranti festivities. However, the police feared entering the villages as that could have provoked violent reactions from the organizers and participants.

Abdul Basha of Mitta village died after taking a kick on his chest from the bull when he was challenging the animal while few others were injured after they were hit by the bulls.

A larger number of bull-tamers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala are participating in the Kuppam region event.

Animal welfare activists on Sunday approached Chittoor district police chief to ban Jallikattu citing that it was a fatal proposition for bulls and tamers.

Since some politicians are supporting it in Kuppam region, police hesitate to take any action against the organizers of the blood-spilling sport.