Pongal is a four-day-long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu.Yesterday, the Central Government has withdrawn the Tamil festival 'Pongal' from the list of compulsory holidays in the country. While, already the entire state is anguished and fuming in disappointment on the Central Government to release the ban on Jallikattu, now this announcement targeting yet again Pongal festival has infuriated the people of this state.
Following this announcement, today in the city of Coimbatore, Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kalagam (TPDK) staged a black-flag protest in front of the Coimbatore airport condemning the arrival of Dharmendra Pradhen, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Speaking on this, the protestors said that 'It is utterly unfair on the part of the Central Government to remove Pongal from the compulsory holiday list and by stating that those who want may acquire a leave. This announcement is against the Tamils and it continues to show the lethargic attitude of the Central Government towards Tamils and Tamil Nadu'.
Tense moments prevailed for a brief time at the Airport as the protestors raised slogans against the central government upon the arrival of a central minister. Hence, the protestors were arrested by the police.