At a time when pressure is mounting on the State and Central governments to take steps to allow jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, BJP MP Tarun Vijay expressed his solidarity with Jallikattu enthusiasts by taking part in the Pongal celebrations held at Kalamavur near here on Sunday.
Mr. Vijay, who was invited as the chief guest, spent more than two hours and interacted with the villagers, who had gathered in large numbers. A group of bull owners, who had brought decorated bulls to the village, expressed their disappointment over the Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu .
Later, he tasted the Pongal offered by the villagers and worshipped a bull. “Pongal cannot be imagined without Jallikattu.
The ban on the sport has taken away the fervour, gaiety and colour of the festival. I stand by the Jallikattu enthusiasts,” Mr. Vijay told The Hindu after attending the festival.
He said the persons with colonial mindset, who could not understand the rich cultural heritage of the country, had misused and misinterpreted the Constitution to ban Jallikattu, which was several hundred years old. It was an attempt to regiment the festivals of India. It could not be allowed.
“We will struggle and try to convince the court against the stay on Jallikattu,” he said. Mr. Vijay hoped that the Central government would take all possible steps to remove hurdles on the sport soon. He had given a promise to the Jallikattu enthusiasts that the sport would be held soon at Suriyur in Tiruchi district and other parts of Tamil Nadu.
When pointed out that the Supreme Court had refused to vacate the stay, he said anything was possible in a democracy with the support of people.
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