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29 Mar 2024, Edition - 3181, Friday

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Coimbatore

Tamil pride intact, protesters bulldoze all opposition to Jallikattu

Covai Post Network

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Jalliattu protests in fact are spontaneous uprising over perceived insult and injury to the Tamil cause and Tamil Nadu state and its people on a host of issues. Which is why, the entire state united as one to send out a strong political message.

Chennai: Though there was one main slogan – vendum, vendum Jalllikattu vendum” – Jallikattu protests were not just about the ancient bull taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

Jallikattu protests, in fact, became the overarching symbol encompassing many issues on which Tamil Nadu got the wrong end of the stick, be it Cauvery waters or Mullaiperiyar dam issue or the question of Medical entrance examinations or potential threat of imposition of Hindi and guidelines on Sanskrit.

The strong sense of being given step motherly treatment when it came to important life and death and livelihood issues of farming and Tamil fishermen, the centre’s attitude is not very Tamil Nadu friendly is the sentiment that was expressed by the youth and professionals gathered at Maria beach and many other venues across Tamil Nadu.

Also, the youth and students managed to remain strictly apolitical in sending out a strong political message to the powers that be – here in Tamil Nadu and in New Delhi – that enough was enough. Speaker after speaker at the many venues at the Marina beach reminded the protesters that this was only the beginning and there might come a time, sooner rather than later, when they all have to mobilise once again. The answer from the crowds was a resounding yes.

Yes, the protesters won – state government came out with an ordinance that facilitates holding Jallikattu and chief minister O Panneerselvam declaring that he would re-launch Tamil Nadu into Jallikattu celebrating mode. But, it was welcomed with muted cheers and a lot of cynicism as the youth declared that it would stay put at Marina till they were satisfied that all was prim and proper and that the whole affairs was not a “drama like the last time”.

The political messaging was not lost on the politicians, who tried unsuccessfully to make their presence felt at the Marina beach and other venues across the state. If DMK working president MK Stalin was hooted out of the beach, other leaders too suffered similar fate. Two state ministers who came to the venue to speak to the students had to come in the cover of darkness and leave in the cover of darkness.

The strict apolitical nature of the protests and the leaderless protests – something very unique that happened in Tamil Nadu – may well script a new political phenomenon in the country. Who gets the support of this army of disciplined soldiers from the student and youth community, is anybody’s guess.

But with their intent and actions, the protesters showed that they lost faith and trust in the present political leadership.

This messaging was clearly read by one and all, and leaders like Pattali Makkal Katchi face – a youthful Anbumani Ramadoss, who is an educated professional with a vision, for sure dream of such followers. But, unfortunately for him, his casteist past does not leave him and this is the one black mark that this youthful leader and chief ministerial contender in the previous polls – though he did not win even a single seat in assembly as his party fought on its own – has to erase if ever he wants to make a difference to and in Tamil Nadu.

But coming back to Jallikattu protests, they are still on. The students are waiting and watching, which way things turn out.

For sure, the whole Jallikattu affair has also pitted Tamil Nadu against animal welfare activists, who now feel targeted in the state. Ban PETA was the theme song at the protests along with demand for lifting ban on Jallikattu. One goal achieved and the second one remains.

According to sources, the state cabinet that met under chief minster’s leadership on Saturday discussed the issue of PETA. According to sources in Delhi, the funding of this animal rights body could come under the scanner.

In the meanwhile, Jallikattu protesters are handing out their own brand of justice – abuse and demonstrations against the animal rights activists. Some animal rights activists complained of threats to their lives and abusive posts on social media, following which Tamil Nadu police beefed up their security.

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