To:

His Excellency Navtej Sarna,

The Ambassador of India to the United States of America,

The Embassy of India,

Washington DC.,

United States of America.

Cc:

Honorable President of India,

Honorable Prime Minister of India,

Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, India.

Subject: To lift the ban against Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, India.

Honorable Commissioner,

We are submitting this petition to lift the ban against Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, India. Jallikattu is our tradition conducted during Maattu Pongal festival to thank the animals those helped in farming. This tradition has been registered in ancient Tamil poetry, known as Sangam literature (2nd BCE – 2nd CE) and has many detailed references to Jallikattu (hugging the bull). The seals of the Indus valley civilization proves that this sport was practiced 5,000 years ago.

Our indigenous cattle are integral part of natural and sustainable farming. Banning Jallikattu in India not only crushes the morality of economically impacted farmers but also threatens the breeds in Tamil Nadu. Records indicate that Tamil Nadu had 10 lakhs bulls in 2006. Due to the ban, the bull population has decreased to 1 lakh in 2015 and to only 70,000 in 2016. During this time, sadly out of six breeds that existed in Tamil Nadu, the Alambadi breed is now extinct. The remaining breeds are Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Barugur and Malai Maadu.

We firmly believe regulated Jallikattu is the only incentive for the farmers to maintain the bulls.

People of Tamil Nadu respect the constitutions of India and the Supreme Court verdicts. We truly believe in unity in diversity. Banning Jallikattu not only impacts our traditions, but also is directly responsible for the decimation of cattle breeds in Tamil Nadu, India.

In order to safeguard our traditions and safeguard cattle breeds, Tamils diaspora in North America are petitioning to:

1. Facilitate lifting the ban on Jallikattu, amend PCA act in India with the following:

• Section 11 N: Remove Jallikattu from animal fight list.

• Section 11/3: Participation in traditional games should be exempted.

• Section 22: So far issued sections and notifications should not be applied from the date of revision.

• Section 27: Bulls should be removed from the list of Performing Animals by adding Jallikattu in Section 27.

2. AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India) should be largely represented by the farming community.

3. Livestock related animal husbandry decisions should be consulted with the stakeholders - farmers.

4. Allow Jallikattu in India with regulations such that the interest of native traditions and safety of life stocks are not compromised.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this urgent matter.

Yours faithfully

Jallikattu supporters