Even as DMK President Kalaignar on Jan 17 alleged that the ADMK government had failed take sincere efforts to conduct jallikattu even though Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam was from the region, which was renowned for the ancient sport, people of the were felt let down by the regime.
The ADMK government had approached the issue with similar indifference as it had done in other instances. It had failed to get permission from the Supreme Court to conduct the sport,” he said in a statement. Instead of fulfilling the wishes of people, the government had come out with lame excuses such as writing to the Prime Minister, sending officials to New Delhi and that it filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.
From time immemorial, the third day of the Tamil month ‘Thai’ is usually filled with enthusiasm in the otherwise calm Alanganallur, about 20km from here, as jallikattu used to be conducted with much fanfare.
However, this year on Jan 17, the hamlet wore a deserted look as the popular sport has been banned by the Supreme Court.
“Alanganallur is synonymous with jallikattu. As Madurai is known for its ‘Malli’ [jasmine], jallikattu instantly brings to mind Alanganallur,” says 63-year-old Satyamurthi of Nagamalai Pudukottai, who has been witnessing the sport with his family every year.
“We used to pack food and go there [Alanganallur]. Witnessing the bulls and the bull-tamers would be fun. But, today, we went there as usual with hope, but the vaadi vaasal was deserted. I couldn’t digest the fact that the next generation would no more witness this sport,” he said. The villagers, particularly women, were critical of the attitude of the governments. “When our sentiments have not been respected, we feel let down. What is that they [officials and police] have achieved by stopping the sport, which was loved by one and all here. It is surely a black day for us and we cannot tolerate the attitude of people behind the ban.”
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko accused the Union government of playing spoilsport, while the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi volunteers staged a demonstration demanding the authorities to get the ban revoked. Many houses hoisted black flags on top as a mark of protest.25 January 2015
The ADMK government had approached the issue with similar indifference as it had done in other instances. It had failed to get permission from the Supreme Court to conduct the sport,” he said in a statement. Instead of fulfilling the wishes of people, the government had come out with lame excuses such as writing to the Prime Minister, sending officials to New Delhi and that it filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.
From time immemorial, the third day of the Tamil month ‘Thai’ is usually filled with enthusiasm in the otherwise calm Alanganallur, about 20km from here, as jallikattu used to be conducted with much fanfare.
However, this year on Jan 17, the hamlet wore a deserted look as the popular sport has been banned by the Supreme Court.
“Alanganallur is synonymous with jallikattu. As Madurai is known for its ‘Malli’ [jasmine], jallikattu instantly brings to mind Alanganallur,” says 63-year-old Satyamurthi of Nagamalai Pudukottai, who has been witnessing the sport with his family every year.
“We used to pack food and go there [Alanganallur]. Witnessing the bulls and the bull-tamers would be fun. But, today, we went there as usual with hope, but the vaadi vaasal was deserted. I couldn’t digest the fact that the next generation would no more witness this sport,” he said. The villagers, particularly women, were critical of the attitude of the governments. “When our sentiments have not been respected, we feel let down. What is that they [officials and police] have achieved by stopping the sport, which was loved by one and all here. It is surely a black day for us and we cannot tolerate the attitude of people behind the ban.”
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko accused the Union government of playing spoilsport, while the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi volunteers staged a demonstration demanding the authorities to get the ban revoked. Many houses hoisted black flags on top as a mark of protest.25 January 2015
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