A protest against the neglect of Tamil pride

The deep sense of hurt, if left unaddressed, is bad for the state, for the nation and for the health of our democracy

“The protests are politically motivated”, “Why have people only gathered for this one, and not other issues?”, and, “Only crazy, primitive people can support this sport”. These are some of the arguments that dismiss the protests in many parts of Tamil Nadu — unfortunately, these are easy ways to dismiss something that’s not fully comprehended. The sentiments behind the protests underway in Marina Beach in Chennai have moved beyond just the ban on Jallikattu, and have become the manifestation of the many “wrongs”, perceived and real, meted out to the “Tamil people” by “Delhi” — a term used for the Centre, politicians and other groups.

A significant feature of the protests is that it is not spearheaded by a political outfit. Media reports suggest that political leaders were shooed away from the venue in Marina Beach — some even suggest that water packets were hurled at a senior leader from the Opposition.

To dismiss the protests as a non-issue is to add insult to injury, and strengthens the predominant feeling among the youth that Tamil Nadu has been at the receiving end of “Delhi’s” indifference.

“There has been an appalling sense of indifference in Delhi to the issues of a state that sends almost 40 MPs and is one of the major industrial engines of the country. There’s a feeling that we’ve been given the short end of the stick,” R Kannan, a UN official currently posted in Iraq and author of Anna, said.

R Azhagarasan, a professor at the University of Madras, agrees. “What we’re seeing now is an accumulated hurt because of the Delhi’s continuous contempt towards the state. Be it the fishermen’s issue, the Eelam issue, the Cauvery issue and now Jallikattu, the outcome has not been in Tamil Nadu’s favour.”

Centring the debate on animal rights is to water down the issue, because the protests are about “Delhi” stopping a centuries-old tradition. Kannan feels that this ban has breathed life into the rural sport. “PETA has done a huge service to a sport (Jallikattu) that would have otherwise perhaps faded away,” he said.

The Jallikattu protests have been able to unite political parties and many groups have expressed support. Even some Dalit voices, that have opposed the sport because of the caste restrictions it imposes, support it. “Dalits have always opposed Jallikattu, but this protest has now become a movement demanding Tamil pride,” an activist-politician would did not want to be identified said.

“Our society does not react in this manner to many greater social issues because many of them are taken up by parties... they have become political issues. This one is an emotional one,” writer and activist Stalin Rajangam said.

Without a clearly defined leadership or direction the longevity of this protest could be short — and it would be unfortunate if this widespread display of anger is not addressed. “After a very long time the question of identity has been stoked. It has touched a raw nerve,” Kannan said.

And it’s not a good sign to leave such a deep sense of hurt unaddressed — it’s bad for the state, it’s bad for the nation, and it’s bad for the health of our democracy.