The rage against the ban of Jallikattu has become a serious issue now. More than 3,000 people have gathered at the Chennai’s Marina beach to protest against the ban, instigated by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.) The two ministers Jayakumar and Ma Foi Pandiarajan assured the protesters that they will take the issue forward and approach the center in regards to the ban of Jallikattu. Mr. Pandiarajan said, “We would echo the public sentiment in Tamil Nadu to the central government.” Even young students are protesting against the ban of Jallikattu. A class XI student, Manjunath said to a daily, “Jallikattu is a 500 year old tradition.The court has to lift the ban.”
One IT professional, J. Rajesh said, “There’s no cruelty for bulls. Courts are for people. It is our right to protest, it’s not illegal to protest for banned Jallikattu.” The people of Tamil Nadu spent the whole night protesting and over 200 people were taken into custody after the overnight protest. People continued to protest even after disconnecting the power supply. The crowd used their mobile phones to continue fighting against the ban.
Jallikattu which is played during Pongal celebrations has been banned since last three years by the Supreme Court, citing animal welfare issues. Rudra Krishna, advocate and animal rights activist said, “you basically see bulls having tails bitten, being stabbed with sickles, agitated, stuff rubbed into their eyes with twenty people jumping on him.”
It is indeed saddening that celebrities like Ajay, G.V. Prakash, Suriya, Arunraja Kamaraj are supporting the protesters and have sent messages through video on social media platforms. Actor Vijay said, “Law was not created to rob people of their tradition and rights but to protect it. Jallikattu is every Tamilians identity. Those who are protesting against the ban on Jallikattu are united by the feeling that they are Tamilians but not out of compulsion or political pressure. I bow down to each and every one of them.”
It is important that the people of Tamil Nadu understand that it is not the “tradition” but the “culture” which is completely insane and inhuman!
