Chennai: Referring to the threat of several outfits defying the Supreme Court ban on jallikattu, MDMK leader Vaiko said the centre should understand the the state government should convey the rising passions to defy the ban to the centre.
The sport of 'Yeru thazhuvudhal' (embracing the bull), in which the player should hold on to the bull hump for a few minutes to win a prize is an ancient tradition of Tamils, he said and added that no cruelty is associated with the game.
He insisted that no harm is done to bulls during jallikattu and only the youth could be injured. "Will those who are opposing jallikattu in the name of saving bulls, will give an order not to eat meat?", he asked.
The bulls are being reared like children by the farmers, he said and added that inclusion of bulls in the list of wild animals by the UPA government was an atrocious act, he said.
Both Peta and Union Minister Menaka Gandhi had opposed jallikattu without knowing about it, he charged and urged to understand the sentiments of Tamils and take action for holding the traditional game. Thousands of youth had gathered at the Marina cutting across parties, religion and castes to protect jallikattu, he pointed out.
