Jallikattu protests are a lesson for Hindutva forces, says Asaduddin Owaisi

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said on Friday that the protests against the jallikattu ban are a lesson for the Hindutva forces.

"Jallikattu protests, lesson for Hindutva forces," Owaisi said in a tweet.

He linked the demonstrations in favour of the ancient sport to the Uniform Civil Code saying that the code "cannot be imposed".

"This nation cannot have one culture, we celebrate all," he added.

#Jallikattuprotest Lesson for Hindutva forces,Uniform Civil Code cannot be "imposed"this nation cannot have one CULTURE we celebrate all

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) January 20, 2017

Thousands of people in Tamil Nadu are protesting after the Supreme Court dismissed the state's plea seeking recall of its 2014 verdict banning jallikattu.

On Friday, the ongoing protests intensified with train blockades, worker strikes and continuing student protests state wide.

Chennai witnessed an almost total shutdown on Friday. Besides the capital, other parts of the state also saw massive protests.

Several thousand youth gathered to protest at Chennai's Marina beach, have witnessed a swelling of support, as they have stayed put, peacefully, for five days.

What triggered the stir to intensify was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the demand to promulgate an ordinance enabling the holding of the traditional bull-taming sport citing the matter as sub-judice.
On Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had met Modi in Delhi and urged him to promulgate an ordinance.

While Modi assured support to the state government's steps, he skirted the main demand citing the matter as sub-judice.

"The ban imposed on jallikattu by the Supreme Court came up for discussion. While appreciating the cultural significance of jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is presently sub-judice," the Prime Minister's Office said in a series of tweets.

"The Centre would be supportive of steps taken by the State Government," it added.

Panneerselvam said steps will be taken soon.

"The state government will take necessary action in coordination with the central government to hold Jallikattu. The state government's action in relation with Jallikattu would soon be seen," he told reporters in New Delhi.

IANS inputs