The writing's on the wall - and the ground, in BJP’s case. Graffiti calling for a ban on the national party have appeared at Marina beach in Chennai, where protesters have been agitating against the ban on jallikattu for the past four days.
Protesters are not happy with the BJP’s handling of the issue, and the anger is beginning to show. Many people are openly telling the media that the BJP is against Tamilians and Tamil culture, especially after the Centre reluctance to promulgate an ordinance on the issue on Thursday.
There is also a strong feeling that the centre is trying to impose nationalism on Tamil Nadu. Graffiti at the protest spot read, “If no jallikattu, no India”, “Ban PETA, Ban RSS, Ban BJP”, and “Jan 26 Black Day”.
31-year-old Satish Kumar, a teacher, said, “The BJP government is always against Tamilians. We are angry with the state and the Centre. They are now saying that they can pass an ordinance - why couldn’t they have done it before Pongal?”
Slogans like “Tamizhanna veruppa? Modi enna paruppa?” (Do you hate Tamilians? Is Modi a big deal?) are popular among the protesters.
42-year-old Rajendran, who works for a private firm, questioned why Modi couldn’t change the law when he is the Prime Minister. “BJP keeps saying they are for Indian culture, but why are they not saving Indian culture? Legal experts say the central government can do what they want. Then why aren't they doing anything?” he asked.
Meanwhile on social media, tweets are slamming the BJP for their government’s apparent inaction on the jallikattu issue.
BJP has completely lost the plot when it comes to the Jallikattu issue. So much for being a Hindu party. Turncoats are speaking louder.
— Pratyasha Rath (@pratyasharath) January 20, 2017
@HRajaBJP I don't think dis BJP govt is bothered with TN. Not a single statement on #Jallikattu frm @AmitShah ji or @narendramodi.Bad signs.
— TheNationWants2Know (@GenNxtIndian) January 20, 2017
BJP tried to make this as #Jallikattu Vs Meat eating & Hindus Vs others,
— புலி Arαşαη (@PuliArason) January 20, 2017
But they forgot one thing, This is Tamilnadu#SaveJallikattu
From now on NO ONE SHOULD VOTE FOR #BJP.
— Nivin Joy (@nivinjoy) January 20, 2017
Fed up with #demonetization and now torture in #Jallikattu issue.#NoMoreBJP #FedupwithBJP #tamil
On Friday, pro-jallikattu protests entered the fourth day at the Marina beach in Chennai. Protesters have refused to relent despite the announcement of an ordinance by the state’s Chief Minister.
While the Tamil Nadu has sent the draft of the ordinance to the Home Ministry and the Law Ministry for consultation, the Centre tried to douse the anger against it by requesting the Supreme Court to postpone its order on the jallikattu issue.