Cauvery Protests: Rajinikanth Asks CSK Players to Wear Black Bands

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Sunday, 8 April, took the stage to urge his followers and fans from watching IPL matches, in an attempt to draw attention towards the state’s battle over the Cauvery Management Board.

Addressing people outside his residence in Poes Garden, Rajinikanth said that it would be an ‘embarrassment to enjoy the IPL at such a crucial time’.

Also asking the team owners and players to support the state’s cause for the larger benefit of the farmers, Rajinikanth said:

Our team should (CSK) should try to wear black bands during the game to send the message across the country, and the team owners should also support is what I feel. 

Rajinikanth has joined several other leaders in the state in their demand for the formation of the Cauvery Management Board.

Poor farmers are suffering because of this; everyone should support them. The Center will be responsible for the anger of the people of Tamil Nadu if the board is not formed, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Rajinikanth and other members of the Tamil film fraternity organised a silent protest in Chennai on Sunday to mark their support in the Cauvery dispute.

Meanwhile, party leaders across the state have been demanding that IPL matches in Chennai be cancelled in view of the protests. While this call was being made only by the smaller parties till earlier, on Friday, the DMK and TTV Dhinkaran’s party too came out in support of the call.

Talking to the media after the all-party meeting, Stalin had said, "As far as we are concerned, we are not saying it shouldn't happen. Those who are conducting it should realise the feelings of the people."

TTV Dhinakaran was more straight-forward in his approach, calling out for an outright boycott of the league through a tweet. “Till the voice of farmers in the formation of the Cauvery Management Board gets stronger, I ask fans to boycott IPL matches,” read his tweet.