By Shyam Krishna Kumar, Vision India Foundation Fellow

This article was published in the Hans India

The source of the image is Vision India Foundation

A stunning aspect of the movement against the Jallikattu ban is how a predominantly rural issue gained the active support of urban sections of the state. The ban is seen as an assault on Tamil culture by those who did not understand the socio-economic tapestry of rural life in Tamil Nadu. There was a conscious decision to keep the protest apolitical with parties being politely asked to host their own protests.

The death of Jayalalithaa and the hospitalisation of DMK patriarch Karunanidhi has left a huge political vacuum in the state. With public anger rising, a new political consensus has emerged with every political party supporting Jallikattu. But the protestors are not convinced. The state government is seen as having failed to stand up for Tamil culture. The centre is perceived as being indifferent to the cause. A few angry voices suggest that the ban isan imposition by the central government to trample on the culture of the state.

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