The festival’s ban is being protested against, by majority of Tamil Nadu.
People of Tamil Nadu have gathered in order to repeal the ban against the bull-taming festival Jallikattu and in addition to that, call for a ban on the animal rights group People for Ethnic Treatment of Animals (PETA)!
Thousands gathered in support of the festival, 3,000 of them being students, since last night at Chennai’s Marina Beach. Demonstrations began directly after a few protesters were arrested in Alanganallur on Wednesday with many actors and politicians supporting the festival’s continuity.
“Law was not created to rob people off their tradition and rights but to protect it. Jallikattu is every Tamilian’s 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 everyone of them,” actor Vijay said in a video message. Check out the coverage by Times Now:
Actor Surya also lashed out at animal rights advocacy group PETA, which is aggressively campaigning against Jallikattu.
Rudra Krishna, an animal activist said that the bulls can be “seen having tails bitten, being stabbed with sickles, agitated, stuff rubbed into their eyes with twenty people jumping on them.” The festival is a part of celebrating Pongal, the harvest festival has been around for a long time. The practice has been banned for the last three years but agitation to bring it back has been strong this year. Students have reportedly even approached the President to seek an ordinance on the issue.
PETA and DMK President MK Stalin had a heated exchange when the leader called the animal rights group “anti-national” and their reply of calling the allegation “cheap and ineffective.” Police are trying their best to get a grip on the situation and are hopeful that things will mellow down when the education institutes resume after a five day break.
Only time will tell the fate of the animals and the practice.