COIMBATORE: Farmers and youths conducted at least two ‘rekla races’ in Coimbatore defying the Supreme Court ban order against holding such races that use bulls as performing animal.
As serial protests are being staged across the state against the ban on jallikattu, rekla and rooster fights and seeking the Centre to pass an ordinance to conduct jallikattu, this bit of ingenious defiance in the form ‘rekla races’ in the western belt on Friday stood out for their uniqueness, as the participants quickly vanished after completing the race and before police could reach those places.
Thousands of youths shared messages on WhatsApp and Facebook, inviting people to gather near the Codissia trade fair complex on Thursday evening to extend their support to jallikattu, rekla and rooster fights. People gathered in thousands, along with cadres of several political parties and as many as 20 ‘rekla carts’. A ‘rekla race’ was conducted from Avinashi road to the Codissia trade fair complex. More than seven ‘rekla carts’ took part in the race.
