It was supposed to be the big day in Alanganallur and two other villages of Tamil Nadu. After days of massive protests, the TN Governor promulgated an ordinance to making conducting jallikattu legal in the state. Though Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is slated to inaugurate jallikattu at Alanganallur, villagers are adamant they will not let the sport happen.

On Sunday morning, many villagers blocked the 'vaadivasal' or entry through which bulls enter the arena, in Alanganallur. They are demanding that jallikattu should be held only after the Parliament amends the Prevention of Cruelty Act and also takes bulls off the 'performing animals' list.

Villagers also say that they have blocked roads also to prevent violence. If they let police forces and other people inside, someone might incite violence and blame the village for it. They do not want outsiders to come and are keeping a close watch on everyone entering. Several check points have been set up from village entrance to the vaadivasal.

One of the protesters Veeran Selvarasu told TNM that they want the law to be amended by the state assembly and then the Parliament, and only that was a permanent solution. "What is the hurry to hold Jallikattu today?" he asks.

This is after the District Collector’s efforts on Saturday night to convince the villagers to call off the protest. But they had disagreed, and have been squatting near the vaadivasal since Saturday evening.

The villagers were not letting outsiders enter the protest area. "We don't want any trouble or anyone to incite us," said one villager.

The state government is hopeful that Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will be able to convince the protesters to allow the conduct of jallikattu.