Jallikattu row: DMK leaders begin fast as protests continue in Tamil Nadu

DMK's working president MK Stalin along with party MLA, MPs and workers began a fast in Chennai on Saturday demanding permanent removal of the ban on jallikattu. 

DMK said they wanted a permanent measure which will ensure conducting of jallikattu without any in hindrances. 

Stalin had on Friday welcomed chief minister O Panneerselvam's announcement that the state government would issue an ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty Act to allow jallikattu but insisted that bulls should be permanently removed from 'performing animals' category by the Centre so that the sport is held in the state annually. 

He also welcomed the protesters' assertion that their agitation would continue till jallikattu was held.

Meanwhike, the pro-jallikattu protests continued for the fifth day on Saturday across the state with the youth and students continuing to stay put at the venues, including Chennai's Marina Beach, the epicentre of the statewide stir. 

The entire area in and around Marina was abuzz with hordes of men, women and children shouting slogans, seeking nod for the bull-taming sport. 

Jallikattu supporters also staged rail blockade at Madurai even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir. 

The Southern Railway announced cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others. 

The Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests. 

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had said on Friday an ordinance to allow jallikattu would be in place in a day or two and legal steps would be taken to tackle any "obstacles" that come its way. 

The state government would undertake all legal measures to handle related issues and remove any obstacles legally to facilitate the conduct of jallikattu, he had stated.