In spite of the massive protests against it, the match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) began under heavy security at MA Chidambaram stadium, popularly known as Chepauk stadium, at 8 pm on Tuesday.
But none of the CSK players were wearing black bands – a special request that was made by Rajinikanth on Monday.
The superstar, who is making his foray into politics, had objected to the IPL, joining the voices of many political parties, outfits and leading film personalities of the state who have been demanding a boycott of the sporting event.
Rajinikanth had said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches will come as an “embarrassment while people are going thirsty”.
The 67-year-old added that if the matches cannot be stopped, the CSK players should at least wear black bands.
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“If the matches are not stopped, the Chennai (CSK) team should wear black bands. The BCCI and the proprietors of CSK must allow the players to do so,” he had said.
Yet as CSK players descended on the ground for the match amid a round of cheers and applause from fans wearing the yellow jersey of the team, none was seen sporting a black band.
Black bands are generally worn around one of the arms by players as a symbol of solidarity or protest over a cause.
Massive protests that had erupted outside the venue had threatened the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Chennai. Protesters have been demanding that the IPL matches scheduled to be held in the state be shifted out over Cauvery water issue.
Read More: Massive protests outside Chepauk as Chennai gears up for CSK vs KKR
But IPL authorities had stated that the matches will be held as per schedule. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba in New Delhi seeking Centre’s intervention for providing security to avoid disruptions during matches in Chennai.
“I met the Home Secretary who spoke to the Police DGP (Director General of Police) giving him instructions that full security should be provided to the spectators and players, and no untoward incidents should happen,” Shukla said.
“Tamil Nadu government and Chennai police have also assured that security will be provided,” he added.
The ruling AIADMK government has said that the party was not against the IPL and did not support any form of violence.
On Tuesday, members of various Tamil outfits picketed at Chepauk and held protests elsewhere in Chennai. They clashed with the police as the authorities started to detain them.
The political situation in Tamil Nadu turned raucous ever since the BJP-led government in the Centre failed to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) within the six week deadline given to it by the Supreme Court on 16 February.