(IN): Protest against ban on Jallikattu

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Link:

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080038426 & ch=1/13/2008\

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Protest against ban on Jallikattu

 

*Sam Daniel

Sunday, January 13, 2008 (Chennai)

There is anger all across southern Tamil Nadu as news of the ban on

Jallikattu sunk in.

 

At Alanaganallur, the capital of the 'taming the bull' festival, shops

remain closed and black flags are being hoisted to observe this year's

harvest festival of Pongal as a black day.

 

While many communities are planning to defy the ban bringing large number of

bulls, the government has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme

Court in a bid to avert any law and order problem.

 

The government is willing to implement any condition the court may impose.

 

''There are lots of reactions. The honourable Chief Minister took note of it

and decided to file this review petition in the Supreme Court,'' said L K

Tripathy, Chief Secretary, TN government.

 

It's a 400 year long Tamil tradition of valour, in which close to two

hundred people have been gored to death in the last ten years and bulls

suffer extreme cruelty.

 

But for the rural population, this is being seen as an interference in their

tradition and religious belief, which could result in a curse and calamity.

 

''The government should lift the ban by passing an ordinance. Till then we

will continue our protest,'' said a local.

 

With just a few days for the festival, time is running out for the

government and it is pinning hopes on this review petition which is likely

to come up in a couple of days.

 

Animal activists say the government should not buckle under pressure.

Perhaps for the first time the run up to the Pongal festival is turning to

be tense one.

 

 

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United against elephant polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com