jallikattu ban, jallikattu protest
People in large numbers stage a protest against the arrest of those who have demonstrated in favour of Jallikattu in Chennai on Jan 17, 2017.IANS

Latest updates on the Jallikattu protest

  • Congress speaks in support of Jallikattu. 
  • Tamil Nadu CM assures protestors that steps will be taken soon.  
  • PM Modi says matter is sub-judice. No ordinance possible. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to urge for an ordinance allowing Jallikattu after massive protests at Chennai's Marina Beach. PM Modi said that the matter was sub-judice and no ordinance can be made. 

The protests began on Tuesday night and have continued to Thursday morning.

Also read: Here are five differences between Tamil Nadu's bull-taming sport and Spanish bullfighting

7:37 pm IST:

7:35 pm IST:

7:22 pm IST:

7:07 pm IST:

6:20 pm IST: Private schools in Tamil Nadu declare holiday on Friday.

6:07 pm IST:

5:56 pm IST:

5:52 pm IST:

5:50 pm IST: 

5:11 pm IST: 

5:07 pm IST: Dance Master Kala joining protests against Jallikattu Ban in Chennai.

5:01 pm IST:

4:45 pm IST:

4:15 pm IST:

4 pm IST: 

3:29 pm IST:  "We will take steps with the backing of the Centre. You will soon see (the steps). Wait, good will happen," said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

3:18 pm IST: 

3:14 pm IST:

3:00 pm IST: School girls in Kanyakumari join protest. 

2:20 pm IST:

2:15 pm IST: "Congress respects rights of people of Tamil Nadu to preserve the culture and protect rich tradition of jallikattu. It is the responsibility of the Centre and the state to respect sentiments and strike a balance on safety and safeguard," said RS Surjewala, spokesperson of Congress. 

2:13 pm IST: Artist AP Shreethar made illustrations to mark his solidarity with the protestors. 

1:44 pm IST: PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss sits in support of Jallikattu outside PM residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. "Prime Minister refuses to meet me. I don't have any other way but to sit outside his house till he meets me," he said. 

1:38 pm IST: College students in Vellore are reportedly holding a protest.

1:30 pm IST: Protests are reportedly taking place in Tuticorin as well.

1:20 pm IST: 

jallikattu ban, jallikattu protest
An analysis of PETA and government's stand on Jallikattu.

1:11 pm IST: Tarun Vijay, Indian journalist, parliamentarian, said, "Jallikattu is our faith, our culture. Support it to support India." 

1:05 pm IST: Tamil actor and singer Sivakarthikeyan also joined protestors at Marina Beach on Thursday. 

12:59 pm IST: Tamil film industry director Mohan Raja also spoke in support of the bull-taming sport. 

12:55 pm IST: 

12:36 pm IST: Kollywood canceled all shootings for January 19th and the theatres have planned to close screens on January 20th.

12:31 pm IST: Video of Marina Beach during Jallikattu protest on Thursday. 

12:20 pm IST: Protests have begun in Madurai with crowds reaching Tamukkam grounds. 

12:28 pm IST: 

12:27 pm IST: 

12:26 pm IST:

12:24 pm IST: "Pongal is the biggest festival in Tamil Nadu, bigger than Holi and Diwali, and Jallikattu is an intergral part of Pongal," said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. 

11:40 am IST: 

jallikattu ban, jallikattu protest
Jallikattu protest taking place in Chicago, US

11:39 am IST: "The ban imposed on Jallikattu by the Supreme Court came up for discussion. While appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is presently sub-judice. The Centre would be supportive of steps taken by the State Government. PM Narendra Modi assured CM Paneerselvam that all possible assistance would be provided to the State to address the drought situation. A central team would be deputed to Tamil Nadu shortly," said the Prime Minister's Office. 

11:35 am IST: "PETA is not a lawmaking body, it only cares about animals and prevent cruelty against them," said Manilal Valliyate, Director of Veterinary Affairs at PETA India.

11:35 am IST: 

11:30 am IST:

11:06 am IST: 

11:00 am IST: Supreme Court refused to hear a plea, which sought that apex court should hear the matter pertaining to public protest at Marina beach. Supreme Court asked the petitioner to approach the concerned Court.

11:00 am IST: 

10:59 am IST:

10:58 am IST: "Jallikattu is a cultural symbol . Respect it. Im all for animal rights but here that is not the point.tradition & livelihood are," said Vishwanathan Anand. 

10:57 am IST: "Unlike Diwali which pollutes the environment and causes all sorts of trouble to animals, Jallikattu is a tradition to bond with them," said Madhan Karky. "If PETA appeals for a festival ban, as it harms animals, and Supreme Court bans Diwali, will our country accept it? Why Jallikattu?"

10:56 am IST: Visuals from last night 

10:55 am IST: 

10:50 am IST: "To compare jallikattu to boxing or wrestling is absurd.Humans voluntarily participate in those sports. Here animals have no voice or choice!" said veteran journalist Malini Parthasarathy.

10:44 am IST: "One of my friends came from Singapore, travelled overnight to participate here in support of Jallikattu," said Rohini, Chennai resident. 

10:40 am IST: People thronging Chennai's Marina Beach in support of Jalikattu, actor Raghava Lawrence also seen in attendance.

10:35 am IST: Chief Minister O Pannerselvam arrives at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

10:30 am IST: "Matter is with SC, there is no ordinance or amendment that can be brought in legally," said Gauri Maulekhi, animal rights activist. 

10:20 am IST: Chief Minister O.Pannerselvam leaves Tamil Nadu House in Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge for an ordinance on Jallikattu.

10:15 am IST: "Protesters aren't aware we have Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.We can't have animal fighting," said Dr Manilal, Veterinary Affairs, PETA India.

9:45 am IST: Youth activists protest outside Tamil Nadu House in Delhi support of the bull taming sport. 

9:30 am IST: PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss seeks an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jalikattu issue.

8:30 am IST: 

8:00 am IST:

The bull-taming sport was banned in 2014 since it amounts to cruelty against the animal, according to the Supreme Court. In 2016, many petitions had been made in the court to allow the sport to be played during Pongal festivities. However, the court had not given its judgement in time for Pongal. 

People reportedly chanted "Chinnamma Chinamma, OPS enge ma?" (Where is Sasikala Natarajan and O Panneerselvam?" and "PETA varigai, Jallikattu vendum" (Ban PETA, we want Jallikattu). 

The AIADMK chief and the chief minister have already urged the prime minister to revoke the ban on the bull-taming sport by passing an ordinance. However, the government might be unable to do so since the matter is sub-judice.   

Since then people have been protesting and some even organised the traditional sport to be played courting arrest. At least 200 people were detained across the state in the last week for either protesting or organising the Jallikattu event. 

Many Tamil celebrities like Kamal Hassan, actor Vijay, Suriya, cricketer Ashwin Ravichandran, Singer Chinmayi Sripaada and even Virender Sehwag lent their support to the people. However, the celebrities have also urged Tamillians to maintain peace and unity during the protests. 

People on Twitter have also commended those who are collecting and segregating garbage at the Marina Beach despite the protest. Thousands of people, especially students and techies, gathered at the Marina Beach on Thursday morning demanding a ban on animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which had spearheaded the ban, and asking the Supreme Court to allow them to hold the sport played on Pongal.

Also Read