At least one person has been killed and dozens injured during Jallikattu, India’s controversial bull-taming competition, officials said Monday.
The deceased, in his 20s, was a contestant who died of injuries sustained during a pageant in Madurai district in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
A total of 31 people were injured in the incident, according to district police officials.
Local news outlet India Today reported on Saturday that at least 15 other people had also been injured in a separate cow taming incident in neighboring Andhra Pradesh over the weekend.
Dating back more than 2,000 years, Jallikattu is considered one of the oldest sporting activities in the world.
The aim during the cow taming event, which marks the start of India’s annual winter harvest, is not to kill the animals.
The bull is decorated and the participants show their skills trying to stop the creature or remove the flag from its horns.
Over the years, many people including tamers and injured spectators have participated.
The sport was banned by the Supreme Court of India in 2014 but the Tamil Nadu state government lifted the ban in 2017.
The Supreme Court’s decision sparked protests in Tamil Nadu which has had a loyal following for decades.
Activists say the sport is cruel and cows are given alcohol before being released from their pens.