South Indian Artists Association comes out in support of Jallikattu

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Jan. 20 (ANI): As protest over the lifting of ban on bull taming sport of Jallikattu mounts, members of South Indian Artists association, Nadigar Sangam on Friday came out weighing in to it. Tamil Cine Association president Vishal Reddy and playwright and film actor S.V. Shekar along with others joined the protest. Many other celebrities like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Surya, Vijay, Chiyaan Vikram came up in support of the ongoing protest in the state. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin was taken into preventive custody for joining the 'Rail Roko Agitation' at Chennai's Mambalam. He, was however, later released. The DMK workers, in huge numbers, broke the barricading here while voicing their support for Jallikattu. DMK MP Kanimozhi also held protest at Chennai's Egmore railway station in support of Jallikattu. Meanwhile, in Rameswaram shops have been shut down supporting the same cause. Marina Beach continues to witness large crowd thronging there in support of the sport. A strike call has been given by traders, truckers and van and taxi operators, and private schools in many districts including Chennai have announced holiday today. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam earlier today, while announcing that the draft of the ordinance has been sent to the Home Ministry, urged the protesters to end their agitation. Jallikattu remains stalled since May 2014 due to a ban imposed by the Supreme Court, which is due to deliver its verdict on a related case that has been reserved earlier. The widespread pro- Jallikattu protests have lead to charges and counter-charges by political parties, even as the call for legal remedies to revive the bull-taming game is getting louder. (ANI)