Jallikattu ban: Supporters protest, 149 detained

Determined in their efforts to conduct Jallikattu, people on Saturday mounted pressure on the Central and state governments by launching agitations against the ban on the bull taming sport, leading to detention of 149 protesters.

The die-hard supporters of the sport along with major political parties in the state have been demanding an Ordinance for conducting Jallikattu after the Supreme Court imposed a ban on it.

While Jallikattu is held in Avaniapuram on Pongal day on Saturday, it shifts to Palamedu and Alanganallur in the district during the next two days. While 68 villagers were detained at Alanganallur staging a rail roko, several groups of young men led by film director Gowthaman, were held at Avaniapuram bus-stand near here for demanding lifting of the ban on the sport, police said. 

“To ensure maintenance of law and order and compliance of Supreme Court orders, we detained Gowthaman and 148 others,” Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Shailesh Kumar Yadav said. He said while the police allowed the film director to address the gathering for about 15-20 minutes, but his speech became “instigating” later.

On claims that symbolic Jallikattu was held in one or two places to show opposition to the ban, Yadav said: “No Jallikattu was held and nothing will be held. We are ensuring that law is followed.” 

DMK working president M K Stalin condemned the alleged police lathicharge on the supporters of the sport.