Tamils take up the cause of the bull in United States

“Jallikattu is our cultural identity. No matter where we are, we cannot let it go,” is the message. One of the early demonstrations was in New Jersey on January 14, the day of Pongal. Selvadhurai Gunasekaran, who started it all along with Mohan Radhakrishnan did not expect more than 25 people to attend the demonstration. “To everyone’s surprise over 400 people gathered in a short time as word spread in the social media, “said Selvadhurai. On January 18, in Chicago a few volunteers mooted the idea of a meeting. Over 600 people gathered within 24 hours. 

“Everyone raised slogans favoring the bull sport. They protested with their hands tied, symbolic of action by government, Peta and supreme court, said Rajesh Sunderrajan, an activist from Chicago. A rally has been planned for January 24, he added. Similar demonstrations were organized by Tamil Sangams in New York, Missourie and many others. 

While ‘Save Jallikattu’ campaign is being taken over by the younger generations in Tamil Nadu, US Tamils are not willing to give up the race. Plainsboro Tamil Club, New Jersey; engaged in teaching Tamil language to the young Indian American Kids of Tamil origin feels strongly that jallikattu is a legacy that needs to be protected. Around 100 children repeated the slogan, ‘We support jallikattu’.  

“Children were actively engaged in discussions on how the sport was played and why it was culturally important,” said a volunteer teacher. For many of these Tamil who left their mother land for work, childhood memories of celebrating Pongal in their native villages have always been marked by rearing the jallikattu bulls. “I recall the days where we these bulls used to graze and how we used to feed them with affection, said Jay Ganesh, New Jersey. 

“It’s a sport that’s tests the courage of young men in the village. A sense of pride to boast of, said Ram Narayanan,” Connecticut. It’s our cultural identity and we appeal to lift the ban permanently, said Kalyan Muthusamy, president New Jersey Tamil Sangam. The movement is spreading fast like wild fire. Many more demonstrations are on the cards, Connecticut, Washington DC to name a few. Plans are being made to conduct a major one on January 22 in front of the controversial PETA office. A special round table discussion on saving the Tamil Nadu farmers and preventing suicides will be held in Chicago on January 28. 

“Even after the ordinance was passed people press for a permanent lift of the ban. On Saturday there was a major protest organised by International Movement for Tamil culture along with New Jersey Tamil Sangam, Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Close to 1000 people participated.” Supreme court may have banned the sport but has inadvertently ignited the fire of cultural identity and this is most visible here in the US. The way Tamilians have been united in the such testing times is looked up with awe by the rest of the world.  Next time you see any one busy texting or checking a Whats App message you can be sure they are signing up for a demonstration.