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Jallikattu Row: Protests Erupt In Madurai Demanding Permission For Conducting The 'Traditional Sport'

Protests Erupt In Madurai Demanding Permission For Jallikattu
ALANGANALLUR, INDIA - JANUARY 17: Villagers hold their bulls before they take part in the Jallikattu festival. January 17, 2008 in Alanganallur, India. Jallikattu the ancient and bizarre bull-wrestling sport happens every year in the month of January throughout the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu to celebrate Pongal, a New Year festival. Similar to SpainÂs running of the bulls, itÂs older  and bloodier. Instead of bulls getting killed, itÂs the people who usually come off worst. In 2008 the Jallikattu was banned but after huge protests including hunger strikes the decision was overturned by the Supreme Court. (Photos by Palani Mohan/Getty Images)
Palani Mohan via Getty Images
ALANGANALLUR, INDIA - JANUARY 17: Villagers hold their bulls before they take part in the Jallikattu festival. January 17, 2008 in Alanganallur, India. Jallikattu the ancient and bizarre bull-wrestling sport happens every year in the month of January throughout the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu to celebrate Pongal, a New Year festival. Similar to SpainÂs running of the bulls, itÂs older  and bloodier. Instead of bulls getting killed, itÂs the people who usually come off worst. In 2008 the Jallikattu was banned but after huge protests including hunger strikes the decision was overturned by the Supreme Court. (Photos by Palani Mohan/Getty Images)

MADURAI -- Demanding permission to conduct Jallikattu, villagers in several parts of the district today staged demonstrations and fasted as shops remained closed in prominent bull-taming sport localities.

Police personnel have been posted in strength in areas where some Jallikattu organisers even threatened to organise the sport defying the ban, police said.

In some places, black flags had been hoisted after the Supreme Court today declined to lift its stay on the Centre's notification allowing the sport, they said.

Five Jallikattu competitors observed a fast in front of the District Collectorate here demanding permission to hold the sport during this Pongal festival.

Shops remained shut in Palamedu, Alanganallur and Avaniapuram, which are famous for the Jallikattu, police said adding road roko agitation was also staged in several places, including Alanganallur.

Police said they were keeping a close watch on the developments and would take severe action if anyone violated the apex court order.

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