Chennai's Marina beach turned into a cluster of bonfires, with students, professionals and others.
IT professionals, actors, singers, bankers, housewives and college students - they are the little dots that make up the sea of protesters at Chennai's Marina Beach demanding that
Jallikattu, the ancient bull taming tradition banned by the Supreme Court three years ago, be restored.
Around 15,000 people are at the beach today; it began with a handful of protesters on Tuesday morning. It has been two nights for some and they have refused to budge. "
We want Jallikattu," they often shout in chorus.
Many haven't ever seen Jallikattu. "We are here for the Tamil identity," they say.
No politicians allowed.
On Wednesday night, the beach turned into a cluster of bonfires, with students, professionals and others - complete strangers - gathering around and talking.
Rosaline and Vignesh are among the students who have been skipping classes to join the big protest.
"It's important for students to participate and do something for the Tamil culture," said R Vignesh, an engineering student.
Rosaline, who is studying English, said she responded to a WhatsApp message. "We got to know about this from social media and from friends," she told NDTV.
WhatsApp messages drew Raj and Deena all the way from Singapore. They have donated a lakh to the cause and are camping on the beach.
A large number of people sat on the sands, cheering and clapping to keep their spirits up.
Not all of them feel as strongly about Jallikattu as health care professional Kanimozhi Jayaseelan, who is from Madurai, the hot-bed of the tradition, and declares that Jallikattu is in her blood.
"We would be burying our own culture if we don't protest and show strength," Ms Jayaseelan said.
Abhishek Parthsarathi, a marketing professional at Harley Davidson, has volunteered to regulate traffic at the vastly crowded space.
Abhishek feels very strongly about the protest. "They banned cock fight, broilers came in. They discriminated local dogs, Labrador and other breeds came with pedigree and Royal canine feed. Now ban Jallikattu we will lose our best cows and get Jersey milk," he said.
Nandini and her friends, dressed in black, take boxes of food and water around. A little boy in a superman costume also pitches in to help his mother.
"I'm a homemaker and I can't join protests daily. This is my small contribution. Coming in the night to give food and water," said Nandini.
Upma stalls are also coming up near the site to encourage people to eat and return to the protests instead of going home.