The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Ban evokes all-round protests

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Monday, Jan 14, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Ban evokes all-round protests

S. Vijay Kumar

Political parties express solidarity; Shiv Sena attempts rail roko

. — PHOTO: S. JAMES

SPONTANEOUS reaction: A black flag atop a house at the Alanganallur junction in Madurai on Sunday in protest against the ban on jallikattu

MADURAI: Even as the State Government is making last-minute attempts to get the Supreme Court’s nod to conduct jallikattu in Tamil Nadu this year, discontent is brewing in many parts of southern districts where the adventurous sport was held for decades as part of Pongal celebrations.

A large number of people took part in a day’s fast at Alanganallur and Palamedu in Madurai district to protest the ban on the native sport. While shopkeepers put up the shutters, residents hoisted black flags atop houses.

At least 18 members of the Shiv Sena, who attempted a rail roko agitation at the Madurai railway station, were arrested.

Various political parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bharatiya Janata Party and Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi have expressed solidarity with the agitating villagers.

According to official sources, an official team comprising Public Secretary D. Jothi Jagarajan, Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence) M.S. Jaffer Sait and Madurai Collector S.S. Jawahar is camping in New Delhi to file a review petition in the apex court praying for modification of its order.

Plan to defy order

Indications are rife that a section of the people in Madurai, Sivaganga and Theni districts may defy the ban and conduct the event, though not in an organised manner.

“We have given instructions to senior police officers to coordinate with organisers of jallikattu and ensure that the court order is not violated. Four persons involved in the jallikattu in Sivaganga district on Friday were taken into custody,” Inspector-General of Police (South Zone) Sanjeev Kumar, told The Hindu on Sunday.

A majority of speakers at demonstrations held at Alanganallur and Palamedu said jallikattu was entwined with the religious and cultural practices of the locals and a ban on the event would hurt their sentiments.

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