A.R. Rahman to go on fast supporting protest against Jallikattu ban

NEW DELHI: With the protest against the ban on Jallikattu gaining momentum, biggies from all genres of society are weighing in to it.

The latest celeb to come in support of this protest is Oscar-winning music maestro A.R. Rahman.

The 50-year-old musician took to his Twitter handle to inform that he will be fasting on Friday, on January 20, to support the spirit of Tamil Nadu.

“I’m fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of Tamilnadu!” he tweeted on Thursday.

Many other top film industry talent like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Surya, Vijay, Chiyaan Vikram came up in support of the ongoing protest in the state.

Congress on Friday backed the former saying that every individual is free to express his opinion.

“Rehman feels that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu should be respected. Jallikattu was banned on the instruction of the Supreme Court. The apex court in a judgment said very clearly to ban the jallikattu. The demand is that it should be allowed that is on the basis of public sentiments which is prevailing in Tamil Nadu,” Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI.

Thousands of young men and women here have demanded not only an end to the ban on Jallikattu but also a ban on People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which opposes the sport.

The Tamil Nadu government has been repeatedly urging the Centre to issue an ordinance for the Jallikattu sport, which is held during the Tamil harvest festival Pongal.

On Monday, more than 200 youths were taken into custody while they were protesting at the Alanganallur village demanding lifting of the ban on Jallikattu.

The Supreme Court had banned the sport in 2014, following which the political parties in the state protested.