IPL 2018: Political groups in TN demand ban on IPL matches in Chennai

What's the story?

Following the verdicts on the Cauvery issue, the unrest in Tamil Nadu continues. Several Tamilian and Dravidian political groups have demanded that no match should take place in the city until the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) is set up.

TVK leader Panruti T Velmurugan said, “In order to condemn the Centre which shows no regard for the livelihood and the identity of the Tamils, we request that the IPL should not take place here – at a time when Tamilians are bursting with anger. If the BCCI conducts the IPL here, and the Tamil Nadu government and the Tamil Nadu police support it, then all those who eat the food produced by farmers will buy tickets and go inside the stadium and protest in a democratic way.

"Tamil Nadu government, BCCI and the IPL management should not push us to that level. If all our notifications on this matter are ignored, we are ready to come to the streets (to protest).”

Protestors at the #MarinaProtest #wallajahroad junction this morning when the #CauveryProtest began @TheWeekLive pic.twitter.com/XeCgLtJzjc

— Lakshmi Subramanian (@lakhinathan) April 5, 2018

In case you didn't know...

The Supreme Court on February 16th allocated more water to the state of Karnataka, as the final verdict on the Cauvery row. The decision angered almost everyone in Tamil Nadu. All the political parties, including the opposition group DMK, and actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan expressed their disapproval. A state bandh was also called on the 5th of April.

The heart of the matter

A group of political parties, including Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), Viduthalai Thamizh Puligal Katchi, Thamizhar Vidiyal Katchi and Social Democratic Party of India, called for a press meet on Wednesday, to make this demand.

When the Centre failed to meet the deadline for creating the CMB, the state's political groups began their protests. Citing the Karnataka elections and the situation of law and order in the state as reasons, the Centre sought a three-month extension.

The politicians have urged everyone in the state to boycott IPL matches in the state until Tamilians are served their justice. Popular Tamil host and music composer James Vasanthan extended his support in favour of the ban as well. Some Twitter users too said they would boycott the matches in support of the Cauvery issue.

Share your views and opinion #CauveryProtest pic.twitter.com/XBDxZH2SPs

— IndiaGlitz - Tamil (@igtamil) April 6, 2018

What's next?

Amidst the turmoil, the first match at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium is set to take place on April 10, the hosts locking horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Author's take

The Cauvery issue has dragged on for quite some time (20 years), claiming the lives of numerous people during riots and protests. With such a tense situation, the security of the players could be compromised.

The security of the RCB team, who have just one uncapped Karnataka player - Aniruddha Joshi - is also a cause for concern. The returning CSK team, meanwhile, which is looking to reclaim its pride, is definitely hoping for no further complications, not when its fans are eager to cheer it on in its den, the Chepauk Stadium.