On Thursday, #justiceforjallikattu and #1MViews started trending on Twitter. And why? Because a video shared in 2017 by Tamil actor Vijay on the Jallikattu ban crossed 1 million views. Fans of the actor took to the social media platform to celebrate, pushing the hashtag into the top trends.
In the video shared by the actor on Twitter on January 17, 2017, he speaks in favour of Jallikaatu and how it is part of very Tamilian's identity. He expressed his opinion at the height of protests against the proposed ban on Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, with hundreds of people taking to the streets to protest. Several Kollywood celebrities like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Dhanush had also supported the state's traditional sport.
#JusticeforJallikattu pic.twitter.com/VAiD8h9cu2
— Vijay (@actorvijay) January 17, 2017
Prompted by complaints of animal cruelty from organisations, including PETA, the bull-taming sport was banned by the SC in 2014. In Januray 2017, a few days after the festival of Pongal during which Jallikattu is organised, thousands of protesters camped at the Marina Beach demanding the ban be revoked. The protests had also spread to towns like Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, and Salem. On January 23, 2017, the Tamil Nadu government passed a bill legalising the sport.
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Vijay has stayed in the news over the past week due to the Income Tax raids against him in connection with his recent movie Bigil. Along with Vijay, I-T raids were also conducted against the film's production house AGS films and financier Anbu Chezhian. Though the I-T department released a statement that no significant recoveries were made from Vijay's house, that has not stopped the flow of rumours and conspiracy theories.
Vijay is currently shooting for his upcoming movie Master, helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The movie also stars Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah,, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Arjun Das. According to reports, the actor was again summoned by the I-T department for interrogation, but he requested an extension so that he can complete the film's shooting.
The first single track from Master, Oru Kutti Kathai, will release on Valentine's Day.
