Despite protests against holding the government-sponsored Jallikattu in Madurai’s Alanganallur, the bull-taming event was held at several places across Tamil Nadu on Sunday.
Two people were killed and about 80 others injured in the sport, while one other died at a protest. However these instances did little to deter the throng of protesters seeking a permanent solution to ensure Jallikattu is allowed for all time, putting the O Panneerselvam government on the backfoot.
Two days after the Centre and the state government together cleared ways to hold the sport despite a Supreme Court ban imposed in 2014, arrangements were made at various places across the state to hold the event.
Here are live updates:
6:37pm: Eight trains cancelled in Tamil Nadu due to protests over a permanent solution to Jallikattu. Several other train routes have been shortened or delayed.
Tamil Nadu: Eight trains cancelled, many partially cancelled in the wake of protest held across the state in support of #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/WIGhqVGUqd
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 22, 2017
Tamil Nadu: Locals stop train in Sellur, Madurai as protest in support of bull taming sport #Jallikattu gains momentum. pic.twitter.com/j3UpJJCXLx
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 22, 2017
Hiphop Tamizha, whose 'Takaru Takaru' song became anthem for #Jallikattu distances himself from protest, says it's been hijacked @htTweets
— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) January 22, 2017
4:30pm: In Coimbatore, protesters disrupt rekla races (cart races involving bulls), held near CODISSIA Grounds, saying that no sport events be conducted until a permanent solution for Jallikattu is found.
4:05pm: Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam returning to Chennai from Madurai now. He was to inaugurate Jallikattu event at Alanganallur near Madurai, which was called off after protetsts by the locals demanding a permanent solution over the issue.
3:28pm: Two dead, 83 injured after unregulated Jallikattu event held at Raapusal village in Pudukottai district.
3:05pm: Two killed in Jallikattu at Pudukottai.
While one S Mohan had injuries to lower hip, the other victim, Raja received wounds in the chest
2:25pm: The Tamil Nadu government finally releases the ordinance, which “exempts the conduct of ‘Jalikattu’ from the provisions of the said Central Act 59 of 1950”, ie the Prevention of Cruetly to Animals Act , 1960.
Details of the #Jallikattu ordinance promulgated by TN Governor Rao. TN govt has exempted Jallikattu from being under PCA Act @htTweets pic.twitter.com/OjySfkSaAL
— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) January 22, 2017
1/2 full rules and regulations regarding the conduct of #Jallikattu bouts, as detailed by the TN Government ordinance @htTweets pic.twitter.com/UcrG9MLuAm
— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) January 22, 2017
2/2 continued appendix on #Jallikattu ordinance, detailing rules and regulations that must be followed now when conducting sport @htTweets pic.twitter.com/81xiQ5sUj1
— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) January 22, 2017
12:30pm: CM Panneerselvam tells ANI: Enough security arrangements have been made for Jallikattu. It is being organised well across the state.
“We will bring the draft of a permanent law on Jallikattu in the Tamil Nadu assembly soon”, says Panneerselvam.
This is a permanent solution to #Jallikattu, no need to be apprehensive, says Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam, appealing for calm @htTweets
— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) January 22, 2017
12:19 pm: Tamil Nadu minister SP Velumani flags off a Rekla or ox-cart race organised in Coimbatore.
“This victory on Jallikattu belongs to youngsters and students,” says Velumani, via AIADMK tweets.
12:03 pm: AIADMK tweets: Jallikattu is held in Pudupatti village of Manaparai town in Tiruchirapalli district, where 100 bulls and more than 500 bull tamers participate.
#WATCH: #Jallikattu organized in Pudupatti village in Tiruchirappalli, 100 bulls and more than 500 bull tamers participate #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/G3SSBd7Ylq
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 22, 2017
Udumalai town in Tirupur district also conducts Jallikattu, in which more than 30 bulls participate.
11:10 am: AIADMK tweets that preparations are underway in Kovai to hold Rekla race, which involves getting bulls to lug carts over a certain distance. Rekla was also banned under the Supreme Court order.
Jallikattu will be held in Puddukottai district’s Rappusal village, where more than 40 bulls are expected to run, and Manaparai town in Tiruchirappalli district.
#Jallikattu held at Rapoosal, Pudukottai and Manaparai, Trichy @htTweets
— Aditya Iyer (@Theadityaiyer) January 22, 2017
11:00 am: Tamil Nadu government files caveat in Supreme Court following promulgation of ordinance in the Jallikattu case
10:45 am: CM O Panneerselvam to take the 12 pm flight from Madurai airport to Chennai.
10:30 am: Jallikattu scheduled in Madurai’s Alanganallur called off, after locals protest demanding permanent solution, a major setback to the Tamil Nadu government.
10:00 am: Protests break out at Kovilpatti in Dindigul district, the likely venue of the government-sponsored bull-taming event.
9:30 am: After talks fail in Alanganallur, change of venue to Dindigul district likely, where chief minister O Panneerselvam might flag off the event.
9:15 am: Talks between Madurai collector Veeraraghava Rao and the protesters fail, question over whether Jallikattu will be held or not remains
8:30 am: People in Madurai’s Alanganallur, the hub of the Jallikattu, have gathered around the arena where the event is to be held. CM O Panneerselvam will open the event by 10am.
Tamil Nadu: People gather at 'vadi vasal' in Madurai's Alanganallur, from where the bulls will be released on the arena. pic.twitter.com/wqlWsrr9TH
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 22, 2017
7:45 am: Massive crowd gathers at Chennai’s Marina Beach to support the bull-taming sport to be organised on Sunday.
Support for the sport comes from New York Times Square too:
Passionate support from New York Times Square #AmendPCA
— Arya SR (@aryasr07) January 22, 2017
#jallikattu #jallikattuordinance #JallikattuSlogans #jallikattuUprising pic.twitter.com/dvHyC05CJa
7:13 am: People in Madurai’s Alanganallur sit in protest, demanding a permanent solution for Jallikattu, and opposing the state-sponsored Jallikattu and its inauguration by Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam.
We want a permanent solution, the one we have got now is temporary. We won't let #Jallikattu happen today: Local, Alanganallur (Madurai) pic.twitter.com/Pn9vQVLeDl
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 22, 2017
