Jallikattu row: Tension escalates in Tamil Nadu as protesters vow to intensify stir if demands not fulfilled

Protests swelled on streets of Tamil Nadu as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed inability on the government’s part in promulgating an ordinance in the conduct of Jallikattu.

Updated: January 20, 2017 5:46 AM IST

By Sandhya Dangwal

Protest supporting Jallikattu
Protest supporting Jallikattu

Chennai, Jan 20: Jallikattu has evoked an unprecedented upsurge among locals in Tamil Nadu, especially the youngsters in the state. In support of the bull-taming sport, demonstrations and mass protests are likely to intensify on Friday. Hundreds of supporters gathered at the Marina Beach in Chennai on Thursday and warned of launching hunger strikes if the restrictions on Jallikattu were not lifted by Friday. Political factions across the state have unanimously stood up in support of the sport while businesses, commercial establishments, theatres, schools and transporters have declared a day-long strike on Friday, demanding immediate permission to allow the age old sport in the state.

The bull taming sport has evoked an unprecedented upsurge among common people, especially the youngsters in Tamil Nadu. The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the state also announced its support to the protest against ban on the sport. The party said that Jallikattu had been a traditionally-honoured culture of Tamils. Meanwhile, as a mark of protest against ban on the bull-taming sport, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which is the prime Opposition party in the state has announced statewide ‘rail roko’ (railway blockade) agitation in Tamil Nadu on Friday. The party also demanded an ordinance on the same and has claimed that Centre has given step-motherly treatment to Tamil Nadu for many of the issues that came up in the state.

There have been many superstars from the film industry who have backed the decision of allowing the sport as it has been a tradition of thousands of years in Tamil Nadu. Among them are Vijay, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. “Bring in whatever rules but Jallikattu must be held to keep up the traditions of our Tamil culture,” superstar Rajinikanth said. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman tweeted on Thursday that he will fast on Friday to support the ‘spirit of Tamil Nadu’ against the ban on Jallikattu. Rahman said that he would observe a one-day fast to support the spirit while World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand also lent his support for Jallikattu.

Jallikattu row: Tension escalates in Tamil Nadu

Jallikattu row: Tension escalates in Tamil Nadu

Denouncing the Supreme Court ban, thousands of locals gathered on the streets in Tamil Nadu to protest in favour of the sport. Schools and colleges too will remain shut on Friday while several organisations having called for a day-long bandh in Pondicherry, Madurai and several other areas in the state. Protests also gained momentum in other states apart from Tamil Nadu. In Mumbai, Tamilians wore black clothes and raised slogans against the ban in the western suburb of Mumbai.  They also raised slogans against PETA and demanded its ban.

The Congress supported the protest against Jallikattu and said it was a part of Tamil Nadu’s intrinsic tradition. he party also said people of the state have the right to preserve their traditions. The Congress also said that the central and state government must find an amicable solution to it.(ALSO READ: Jallikattu protests and anti-Hindi riots: Similar at face value, different in objective)

Protests swelled on streets of Tamil Nadu as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed inability on the government’s part in promulgating an ordinance in the conduct of Jallikattu. By Thursday evening, nearly one lakh protesters thronged at the Marina Beach in Chennai to raise slogans against the central and state governments. Tensions have been escalating for the last week after thousands of supporters were detained by police for organising local Jallikattu, defying the Supreme Court’s ban. Modi on the contrary, expressed support for steps taken by Tamil Nadu in this regard, PTI reported. Chief Minister Panneerselvam said that the state government in conjunction with the Centre would take steps for holding the event, pointing out that the matter is “sub-judice” or in court. (ALSO READ: How international media covered Jallikattu protests)

What is Jallikaatu?

Jallikaatu is a sport practiced in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. The term ‘jallikattu’ is derived from the Tamil words ‘jalli’ and ‘kattu’ in which Jalli to gold or silver coins and Kattu means ‘tied’. The fight against the ban on Jallikattu is basically for upholding the culture of the people of Tamil Nadu. It is about the Tamilian pride and people supporting the sport reject the allegation that Jallikattu is cruel to the bulls. These protesters have also demanded that animal rights organisation PETA to be banned from the state for lobbying against Jallikattu.

Why the protest?

Tamilians consider Jallikattu as a symbol of their pride and tradition. It is an ancient tradition that has been carried on for years. People in Tamil Nadu are determined in their efforts to conduct the bull-taming sport. The animal rights organization PETA said it is committed to stand up for animals and all creatures that face brutality and cruelty. PETA said that sport includes unnecessary suffering and torture on animals for the purpose of human entertainment. Despite Supreme Court ban, Jallikattu supporters continued to hold the sport in various parts of Tamil Nadu. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lobbied for the ban on the sport citing animal cruelty. Locals and supporters of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu attacked animal rights organisation PETA and demanding that it should be banished from the state.

Jallikattu has been banned in Tamil Nadu as the Supreme Court, in May 2014 banned the practice citing animal welfare issues. The Court said that bull races, bullfights, and Jallikattu violate Indian law. In 2011, the UPA-led government implemented the ban by adding bulls to the 1991 notification that banned the exhibition and training of animals. The Government on January 8, 2016 passed an order exempting Jallikattu from all performances where bulls cannot be used, effectively reversing the ban. On January 12, the Supreme Court rejected a plea seeking to allow Jallikattu during Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu.

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