Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is in Madurai, Tamil Nadu to attend a Jallikattu event as the Tamilians mark the start of the Pongal festival. DMK youth leader Udayanidhi Stalin accompanied Gandhi to the Jallikattu arena. Gandhi spoke after the event and said he would always stand by the Tamilian people and protect their heritage and culture. Jallikattu event is held to mark the start of Pongal and involves rampaging bulls. A few years ago, the Supreme Court had banned the practice citing cruelty to animals, though the Central government later legalised it keeping Tamil sentiments in view.