New Delhi: After one-day fast was organised as an initial protest to the Supreme Court's ban on the state’s traditional sport – Jallikattu, the Supreme Court on Tuesday has permitted holding of Jallikattu under government supervision.
The permission came a short while ago a few days after the apex court banned it on grounds of cruelty to animals.
Close to 300 people joined the day long fast in Aranganallur in Madurai, the village that's home to the famous sport, and locals say they will step up their protest if the ban is not revoked.
“Supreme Court must allow Jallikattu to take place. If not, all the villagers will give in their ration cards and voter IDs to the Collector,” a Jallikattu enthusiast V Prabhu said.
While other villagers like S Kaavya threatened, “If Jallikattu doesn't take place, our villages will be hit by diseases like cholera and diarrhoea. Jallikattu must take place, until then our protests will continue.”
Politicians in the state, too, are making the most of the people's frustration. Leader of the Dalit Panthers of India, Thol Thirumalavan said, “If the Supreme Court doesn't revoke the ban and allow Jallikattu to take place, if the people permit, I will ensure that Jallikattu happens."
The state government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court to reconsider the ban on the sport. Meanwhile, with only four days to go for the D-day when Jallikattu traditionally takes place, security in Madurai has been stepped up.
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