With just one day to go for Pongal, supporters and organizers of Jallikattu held protests and rallies for the third straight day on Thursday in several parts of Tamil Nadu seeking a nod for conduct of the bull-taming sport.
The People's Welfare Front (PWF), which is coordinated by MDMK leader Vaiko, announced that it would observe a fast on January 17 over the issue.
"A hunger strike will be held in Madurai on January 17 against the state, central governments which failed to take proper steps to vacate the stay on conducting Jallikattu," coordinator of PWF and MDMK chief, Vaiko said here in a release.
Protests were held in many places, including Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli.
'All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi' cadres staged a demonstration in Chennai.
In Madurai, rallies were taken out seeking permission to hold the sport and protests were also held. Jallikattu is hugely popular in villages like Alanganallur and Palamedu in Madurai district.
Sporting black headbands and holding black flags, participants in the rally held placards seeking a nod for continuing the age-old traditional sport.
There were reports of people in Alanganallur threatening to surrender their voter IDs if the authorities fail to ensure that the traditional bull taming sport is organized.
Many youngsters tonsured their heads today as a mark of protest against the ban. Youngsters and supporters of the sport also observed a fast.
Political parties demanded action from the state and central governments to facilitate the sport.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief EVKS Elangovan blamed both the state and central governments for the present ban on holding Jallikattu.
PMK chief Ramadoss said, “The central, state governments should hold discussion and promulgate an ordinance that will be valid." Going a step ahead, he said, "The governments which fail to do will be taught a never-forgettable lesson by the people."
This comes after the Supreme Court stayed a notification of the central government allowing Jallikattu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday.