Pro-Jallikattu activists appeal ‘not to project it Hindu vs Muslim’

The activists also denied the reports which claim that a section of Dalits in Tamil Nadu are favouring the ban.

Mumbai, Jan 21: Tamilians in support of Jallikattu gathered in various parts of Mumbai on Saturday to register their dissent against the judicial ban imposed on the bull-taming sport. The protesters included professionals and students residing in the city. Holding placards and banners, they sought public support for their cause. The pro-Jallikattu voices also had a message for the media: Do not communalise the issue.

The activists further suggested the national media to not to view Jallikattu through a communal and casteist prism. “Students have come forward to lead the protest. Members from every section of Tamil society are taking part in the protests,” said Pradeep, a migrant from Chennai.

“We also don’t want the politicians to get involved. We do not want their support. The DMK, AIADMK and others should have acted before. The issue that we have picked upon is getting support from the masses. We have not invited the film actors to join us either,” he added.

‘Mischievous section of media wants to create clash between Hindus and Muslims’

The supporters of Jallikattu in Mumbai expressed anguish against the section of media and politicians whom they accused of planting seeds of division between Hindus and Muslims. “It is wrong and mischievous on part of some media to project it as Hindu vs Muslim. They want to create clash between Hindus and Muslims. Their aim is to break the Tamil unity,” the activists said.

Their remarks appeared to be targeted against right-leaning publications and politicians who have raked up the argument against Bakra Eid to counter those supporting Jallikattu ban.

“The people who think that Tamil Nadu’s traditional fest Jallikattu causes atrocities on animals, where does their animal-love disappear during Bakra Eid,” BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya had said, seemingly giving a communal angle to the controversy.

Reports of Dalits supporting Jallikattu untrue

On being asked by India.com whether a section of Dalit community in Tamil Nadu is favouring the ban on Jallikattu, the activists were quick to retaliate. “This is not true. It is not a community-based thing. It is about the Tamilian culture. Every section of Tamil Nadu is protesting against the ban. It is not about castes, community, religion. Jallikattu is related to the Tamilian identity,” said Parmananda, a pro-Jallikattu activist.

However, the claims of the Jallikattu supporters get contradicted by Puthiya Tamizhagam chief K Krishnasamy. While speaking to Scroll.in, the prominent Dalit leader said that Jallikattu is a feudal practice, which is not related to the Tamil identity.

‘Can not allow native breed of cows to be sent to the beef stall’

The Mumbai-based supporters of Jallikattu, similar to their counterparts in Chennai, painted animal rights’ group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA) as the prime antagonist. The activists claimed that PETA is part of the conspiracy to replace the Indian cattle with the foreign cross breed.

“PETA has no evidence, no facts to oppose us. They actually want to benefit the lobby which wants to replace milk sold by farmers rearing the native breed of cattle,” Parmananda said. Another activist Satish was quick to chip in saying, “We have to raise awareness now. We cannot allow the native cattle to be wiped out.”

The activists further claimed that the drought in Tamil Nadu has adversely affected the agrarian sector, and if the sport of Jallikattu is banned, the farmers could be compelled to sell their livestock for slaughter. “Jallikattu is our effort to save the native breed of cattle from being wiped out. The agricultural condition is not good. We don’t want the our native breed of cows to be sent to the beef stall.”