CHENNAI: After six days of widespread protests across the State against the jallikattu ban, prominent pro-jallikattu activists on Sunday appealed to the youth to call off the protests. However, they did specify that the supporters could regroup and come back together after three months, in case their demands were not met by then.
Karthikeya Sivasenapathy, managing trustee of Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation, Rajsekhar of Jallikattu Peravai, Rajesh, general secretary of Veeravellaiyatu Kazagam, Umbalathu Arasu, founder of Veeravellaiyatu Kazagam and Aadhi alias Hiphop Tamizha, music composer, together addressed a press conference on Sunday appealing to people to suspend the protests.
Ever since the ordinance was announced, there has been an air of uncertainty as the protestors showed no sign of budging unless a permanent law was enacted for jallikattu. Whilst repeatedly claiming that the protest was in fact completely people-led, the speakers at the press conference stressed that it would be best if the protestors withdrew now.
“We are in no way responsible for what has happened over the last few days; it was completely a movement of the people. So we have no right to tell them to end the protests but we can only request them to do so,” said Sivasenapathy. But he also said that in case there was trouble in the future in conducting jallikattu, then the protesters could regroup on social media and come together to fight again on March 31.
The speakers, though, said that they believed that they had achieved 99 percent success, “There has been confusion among the protestors as to what the ordinance means. We have also had our own queries but we have spoken to the CM and he has fully assured that the ordinance will be made into an act as soon as possible,” said Rajesh. He also added that the CM assured them that the act that would be put together would be completely thought out and secure enough to stand legal scrutiny.
When asked if they did believe that the solution would be permanent, Rajesh said that they believed that from tomorrow jallikattu will become legal.
Rajesh also said that the draft had made clear rules on how to maintain safety during jallikattu. “We are going to take more precaution so that there are no injury or casualty and we also asked the government that they fund us for the safety gear.”
However, the team stressed again the fact that their demand continues to be that the PCA be amended.
“We have won the battle by 99 per cent, but of course we are not naysayers; so we cannot assure you that PETA won’t approach the court again. There is a chance but for now we accept this as a victory,” said Sivasenapathy.
The team repeatedly claimed that they were in no way responsible for the protests and that it was a faceless movement. So it was unsure as to whether the protestors would take their word and disperse. “We did try speaking to them but some individuals also asked us who we were to call off the protest, which is why we are holding this press meet,” said Aadhi.
When questioned why jallikattu didn’t take place on Sunday when the ordinance was passed, they said the youth probably feared they might be cheated again, as they were in 2014.
In his Facebook post earlier in the day, the music composer had said that he was upset over the fact that a lot of anti-social groups had started mixing with the original supporters. He also added that there were different groups making demands of all kinds, like banning Coke and Pepsi.
“Those protestors who have been there from the start only campaigned for jallikattu. That is our primary aim and now we have won. So it’s best that the youngsters go home and be proud of their efforts,” he said.