At Trichy, a Jallikatu takes a life, and a bull kills the owner.

The state of Tamil Nadu used the joyful mood of Pongal to carry out its traditional (but contentious) bullfighting sport. During the Jallikattu festival on Saturday at Suriyur village near Trichy, a 29-year-old bull owner was struck down by his bull. 

According to reports, G. Meenachi Sundaram of Srirangam was leading his bull towards Vadivasal, which is where bulls enter the sport zone.

Meenachi Sundaram was transporting the bull to the arena after completing the bull's medical examination. According to police officials, "the bull suddenly attacked the owner, inflicting major injuries on his thigh." 

Meenachi Sundaram was rushed to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Medical College Hospital (MGMGH), but was diagnosed as "brought dead" after an examination. Excessive bleeding was cited as the cause of death.

According to sources, almost 400 bulls were registered for the event, but only 300 were allowed to enter the arena due to COVID-19 regulations. Bull tamers were required to present a vaccination certificate and a negative RT-PCR report, and the bulls' health was verified by Animal Husbandry Department teams before to the game.