CHENNAI: After a gap of two years, Jallikattu bulls will charge through the famed vadivasal—the passage that leads to the arena—with the state government moving swiftly on the Ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is in Madurai to inaugurate the event at the home of the sport, Allanganallur.
All AIADMK legislators have been asked to fan out to their constituencies and restart the bull sport in places it had been suspended. People for Treatment of Ethical Aninmals (PETA) has announced its intent to seek the judicial route to quash the ordinance. The Chief Minister said the government will take all legal steps to tackle any hurdle.
"We demand a permanent solution!" protesters said if they were satisfied with the ordinance. In a bid to diffuse the protests against the ban on Jallikattu, the state government promulgated an ordinance. Thousands continue to make their way towards Marina Beach to show their solidarity with the protesters.
"We are here to fight for our Tamil identity and an ordinance will not give us that," 34-year-old IT professional Maya Karthikeyan said.
The need to preserve Tamil identity, culture and tradition drove hordes of people to join the rally. The demand to ban PETA is among the most prominent demands that prevailed even after the ordinance was promulgated. Many were firm on the demand to amend that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA) and ensure that the bull is not a part of the performing animal category.
"Unless the PCA is amended and until we hear a final decision on the issue, we will keep coming here," said P Sindhu, who works at an IT company and has been coming regularly to the protests, even if it is for an hour.
"We have to see the vadivasal (the point from where the bulls are let out) open and see Jallikattu being performed. An ordinance is a temporary solution, when we see something permanent, only then will we be satisfied." Apart from being a protest site, the beach has evolved into a place where the culture and art of Tamil Nadu is showcased in all its splendour.A sense of pride and duty drew even families to the beach on the weekend. It was a holiday, but one such group came dressed in black. "We are Tamilians and must our voices have to be heard," said a protestor. "It is our duty to support what is right and be on the side of the public and not the government because the government is always cheating us."
As most schools have been off for the last couple of days, numerous children have joined the agitation, making for enthusiastic protesters.
"I am fighting for my rights," said 12-year-old Roshan Umashankar who was present on the beach both on Friday and Saturday and was going to make it a point to be there on Sunday as well. "This is our culture and we have to fight for it."
"We can earn money later, but we will not get a chance to be a part of this protest later," said 52-year-old P Kuppan, "Even if I have to take a couple of days off from work, I am willing to lose that money, just to show my support for this cause."
The determination to make a change and remain relentless until one achieves what was targeted is what is keeping people coming here day after day. What helps is the complete support of various organisations and trusts who have been distributing food and water to all those present.
Generally what happens when there is such a huge crowd and when food and water is available in abundance is that the premises tends to be littered. And that was what happened at Marina Beach as well. But on Saturday there was a large army of volunteers scattered all across the beach armed with gloves and garbage bags, picking up trash and collecting it in piles for easy disposal.