Oil spill: Can Chennai stand up for real issues now?

 

A few days back the nation witnessed the passion of Tamil Nadu for the traditional bullfighting sport named Jallikattu. 

 

The intensity, dedication and perseverance of the Tamil youth awakened hidden activists across many other states. Agitations in support of various banned traditional sports involving animals soon became a fad in all Southern states. 

 

However, when will these young blood take up real issues that matter? 

 

Tamil Nadu has a host of problems that need to be fought for and fixed. For example, an oil spill is spreading across Chennai's coast due to a collision of a tanker with a vessel at Kamarajar Port in Ennore. 

 

Read MORE: Chennai's latest oil spill disaster the result of human error?

 

The oil spill is fast spreading, and according to a report in the New Indian Express, it has already reached Marina beach. The marine life has already been impacted with dead turtles and fishes covered in oil floating on the sea. The fishermen at Thiruvottiyur and Marina are also avoiding stepping into the water due to the obvious danger. 

 

To prevent the spreading of oil in the sea and to clean out the water, mopping operations are being conducted by Indian Coast Guard, and this department is also mobilising the Pollution Response Team (East) to expedite the process. 

 

However, it is hard to imagine how a limited number of people will be able to contain the spreading of the oil and save the marine lives at the same time.

 

Marina beach became synonymous with the mass movement against the banning of Jallikattu. But currently, when a real danger is decimating Marina and many other coastal areas in the city, Marina stands empty. No protests, no volunteers, no media and not even any police. 

 

Tradition, customs and ethnic identity is not something that can be taken away by any superficial aspects and therefore, it does not require a warlike movement against the establishment. 

 

What needs to be fought for are issues that endanger our current existence irrespective of what ethnicity one belongs to or what tradition they follow. 

 

Who is going to help fix the ocean and clean up the oil spill? Any volunteers?