Jallikattu: What leading southern actors and politicians have to say

So, there will be no Jallikattu this Pongal! The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking an order on the hugely popular bull-taming sport, Jallikattu, before Pongal (Saturday). With the SC refusing to intervene, the 2014 ban on the sport remains in place.

Tamil Nadu has witnessed a lot of clamour and a groundswell of support for the adrenaline-pumping sport. As demands from various quarters continue to pour in for holding it on Pongal, here are some prominent personalities from Chennai who spoke on the issue at the recently concluded India Today South Conclave 2017.

Venkaiah Naidu, Union minister: Personally, I feel that Jallikattu is a traditional art. It is a traditional sport in Tamil Nadu. Nobody should have problem with this... We are getting suggestions (to amend the law). After all, we did it in the Shah Bano case... But we will have to see. We will have to weigh what the court thinks.

Kamal Haasan, actor-producer: If you want a ban on Jallikattu, let's also ban biryani. I'm a big fan of Jallikattu. I'm probably one of few actors who've played Jallikattu. Am a proud Tamilian, this is our culture. Jallikattu must not be confused with bull-fighting in Spain. In Spain, people hurt the animal and it would die, but in Tamil Nadu bulls are treated like "god, as part of the family".

Leela Samson, dancer-choreographer: "As a person connected so strongly to culture, I believe in traditions. But I'm a very strong animal rights (advocate). I feel there is an element of cruelty to it which I personally don't like to watch. I wonder if we have taken the opinion of the other party involved — the animals."

RJ Balaji, actor: "It's our tradition. There should be certain rules and regulations. Breeding of cattle is done predominantly by people in the villages. Frame rules, but don't ban a sport that's been there for hundreds of years."

Suhasini Mani, actor: "As someone seen it performed in a village, it is festive. But also male- dominated. I will take the side of women, stay away and see in this fight who will win. I believe in animal rights and human rights violations too. I don't want either to be hurt."

Kushbu Sundar, actor-politician: "It's not about tradition alone, it's part of misconception of people of the North. It's not bullfighting, it's bull-embracing. The farmers are absolutely pro-Jallikattu and we should listen to them also."

Also read: Jallikattu puts Narendra Modi on the horns of a dilemma