RJ Balaji's fitting replies saves the day but doesn't help the cause 

The last session of India Today Conclave South saw Kollywood personalities like Khushbu Sundar, Suhashini Mani Ratnam and RJ Balaji debating under journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, on the state's most sensational issue, Jallikattu (one of their topics). RJ Balaji happened to be the one with most things to say, which though served as fitting replies did not help the cause much. As aptly noted by one of the other speakers Dhanya Rajendran (journalist), the case of Jallikattu has become more confrontational in terms of Tradition vs Ban instead of Reasons for need Vs Ban. This has led to those supporting the bull sport loose their voices in the course. 

RJ Balaji Highlights :

While RJ Balaji was all in for imposition of rules and regulations on the Bull-taming sport, he strongly suggested that a ban is in no way justified.He reasoned with this relatable example: 

"If one lets cricketer Virender Sehwag play without any restrictions, then the game might definitely get harmful (keeping in mind his batting skills). That is why the game has rules like 6 balls an over and restrictions like dismissal from field for unruly behavior"

It is to be noted here that the point of 'you dont ban a sport, you restrict it' was first made by Dhanya Rajendran and Balaji made it sound reasonable with this good example.

When retired Director General of Police and current Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Kiran Bedi who was also a part of this debate questioned that would this opposition on ban not mean disrespecting the Supreme Court's order making it a disrespect of the law inturn, Balaji had a very humble yet clever retort to it. He said 

"Actress Meryl Streep, who was recently honored at the Golden Globes had things to say against the President-Elect Donald Trump because she found his actions unjust and wrong. My opposition for the ban on Jallikattu is also on the same lines. I find the decision of the Supreme Court to be unfair, hence I say so"

Given the kind of uproar Indians created post Meryl Streep's speech suggesting "Indian Celebrities" to stand-up, we think this is a leaf well taken by RJ Balaji. 

However instead of only sticking to fitting replies or making suggestions about where to look for imposing a ban or giving the most generalized explanation of Jallikattu as "bull hugging" or "bull embracing" , if those present had elaborated the ongoing reality behind the bull-sport, such as taming is more injurious to the men than the animals (another point noted by Dhanya Rajendran) or banning Jallikattu could lead to the extinction of Bull-breeds or any other imapactful reason, we believe that the debate could have served on a much bigger level. 

To catch a glimpse of the  entire discussion, click here