Jallikattu row: Agitation intensifies as Delhi, Mumbai, Goa join protests in support of bull-taming sport

In Delhi, Jallikattu supporters staged protest at Tamil Sangam area demanding a complete removal of the ban on Jallikattu. In Mumbai, the protesters have demanded for a ban on PETA. Similar protests were also held in Pune.

New Delhi, Jan 21: The agitation over the ban of the bull-taming sport Jallikattu entered the fifth day as similar protests were reported in Delhi and Mumbai. It has been reported that a bunch of Jallikattu supporters stopped a train in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai closing down the train service for the day.

#jallikattu supporters stop a train in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai pic.twitter.com/ArpvluUEEk

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

Protests in support of Jallikattu and against PETA are being staged in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa as well while hundreds of protesters continue to throng Marina Beach in Chennai. In Panaji, Goa, people have gathered in support of the support calling for a ban on PETA.

People in Goa’s capital Panaji gather in support of bull-taming sport #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/60YZ1G8YAS

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

In Delhi, Jallikattu supporters staged protest at Tamil Sangam area demanding a complete removal of the ban on Jallikattu. In Mumbai, the protesters have demanded for a ban on PETA. Similar protests were also held in Pune.

#Jallikattu supporters stage protest in Delhi’s Tamil Sangam area pic.twitter.com/l4PlCxrz7s

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

In Mumbai, hundreds of people holding posters in support of Jallikattu came out on the streets in Chembur, Vile Parle and Dharavi protesting the ban imposed by the Supreme Court in May, 2014.

Protest in support of #jallikattu and against PETA in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/ZB7pwqRWJ9

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

Jallikattu supporters also carried along their pet dogs to support Jallikattu. On the fifth day of the protests in Tamil Nadu, thousands continue to gather at Marina Beach in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu: Huge crowds continue to gather at Chennai’s Marina Beach in support of #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/9SB61BoDq3

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

Tamil Nadu: #Jallikattu supporters bring out their pet dog during a protest in Chennai pic.twitter.com/F5jdpznRgg

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

On January 20, workers of Naam Tamilar Katchi organised a protest, in which about 200 people took part, at Ambernath in neighbouring Thane district. The march started from Swami Nagar and ended near the municipal council building. The protesters also raised slogans against PETA and appealed to lift the ban on Jallikattu.

“We want Jallikattu to happen this time. Ours is 4 thousand-year-old tradition. We don’t harm the animal at all. In fact we treat them as our family member,” said one of the protesters. The protester added, “During the Jallikattu, we just play with bulls. This is our tradition which is going on for several years now. We will intensify our protest in future.”

“We are not hurting the bulls, we love them like our children. They are part of our culture and we play with them on the day of Pongal not hurting them. Government must listen our plea,” said a supporter.

On January 20, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) workers had held a statewide ‘rail roko’ agitation creating a massive blockage at major railway stations of the state led by DMK leader MK Stalin. Stalin was detained along with scores of supporters during the protest suburban Mambalam Railway Station. As per the reports, he was released after having being taken into a preventive custody.