TN cripples as protest over Jallikattu enters fourth day

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Jan. 20 : Massive protest continued for the fourth day today at Chennai's Marina Beach with schools across Tamil Nadu remained closed in support of bull taming sport Jallikattu.

Members of South Indian Artists association, Nadigar Sangam will come out in support of Jallikattu today.

Music maestro A.R. Rahman will also remain present. Marina Beach in Chennai continued to receive people who seek revival of the bull-taming game where protests continue day and night.

Many other towns including Alanganallur in Madurai known for the game also witnessed protests seeking the game.

A strike call has been given by traders, truckers and van and taxi operators, and private schools in many districts including Chennai have announced holiday today.

The opposition DMK, the Left and the VCK have planned rail blockade for the day, forcing the Southern Railway to divert several South-bound trains via alternate routes and cancellation and partial cancellation of a few other services.

Artistes and workers owing allegiance to the Film Employees Federation of South India have decided to stage a fast in Chennai and cinema halls have cancelled shows during day time today.

Jallikattu remains stalled since May 2014 due to a ban imposed by the Supreme Court, which is due to deliver its verdict on a related case that has been reserved earlier.

The widespread pro-Jallikattu protests has lead to charges and counter-charges by political parties, even as the call for legal remedies to revive the bull-taming game is getting louder.

The state BJP and the ruling AIADMK blame it on a 2011 Central notification that included bulls in the list of animals that are banned for public entertainment.

The DMK and the Congress claim, the game has been conducted for three years since then. The agitators continue to raise slogans against People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA), though the NGO denies taking up the case originally, saying it only joined the issue at a later stage along with other like-minded bodies.

It says the game is inherently cruel to animals, though protestors claim it is harmless..

Source: ANI