NEW DELHI, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people, mostly spectators, were killed and over 100 others injured by bulls at the bullfighting sporting events in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, multiple local media reports said Monday.
The deaths and injuries were reported on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the events held in various parts of the state.
The bullfighting event is traditionally practiced as part of the harvest festival of Pongal across Tamil Nadu. It involves men chasing a bull, attempting to grab its hump and ride it for as long as possible or stop it and remove a piece of cloth affixed to its horns.
Prizes such as cars, motorbikes, and gold coins are up for grabs at many of these events.
Over the years, many people have been gored to death during the event. Reports said 102 deaths have been recorded between 2017 and 2023.
The activity was banned by the Supreme Court of India in 2014 after animal rights activists sought the prevention of cruelty to animals.
In 2017, the local government in Tamil Nadu passed a law to revive the controversial event, after the state witnessed massive protests seeking the lifting of the ban on the sport.
In 2023, India's Supreme Court upheld the Tamil Nadu government's law allowing the event. The court stated that when the lawmaking body of the state has declared it to be part of the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, then the judiciary cannot take a different view. ■
