Twenty-five Naam Tamizhar Katchi activists were arrested on Thursday when they attempted to stage a demonstration in Coimbatore demanding that the Union Government promulgate an ordinance to lift the ban on jallikattu.

Despite being denied permission for taking out procession or staging demonstration, the workers gathered near the Tahsildar's office near the district collectorate and raised slogans in support of their demand, police said.

The activists wanted the Centre to come out with an ordinance so that Jallikkattu could be held and to ban PETA for "hurting the sentiments of Tamils", by getting a stay on the traditional bull taming sport, they said.

Meanwhile, members of 'Tamil Nadu Rekhla Club' and 'Jallikkattu Peravai' were engaged in a signature campaign in support of the sport across the city, police said.

PTI inputs