Thousands of people were camping on a beach in southern India on Wednesday to demand that a ban be lifted on the traditional sport of bull-taming.

The sport of Jallikattu involves releasing a bull into a crowd of people who attempt to grab it and ride it. It is popular in Tamil Nadu state but was banned by India's top court in 2014 after animal rights groups argued it was cruel to the animals.

Thousands of protesters wanting the sport resumed gathered on the Marina Beach in Chennai, the state capital, on Tuesday night and the crowd swelled further on Wednesday in response to appeals on social media.

'Jallikattu is our pride'

The annual contests, involving tens of thousands of participants, would have been held last week during the four-day "Pongal" marking the winter harvest.

The protesters want the federal and state governments to petition the court to review its decision. They say they would support changes to make the sport safer.

"Jallikattu is our pride," said actor-turned-politician Khushboo, who uses one name.

Thousands have joined the demonstration against the Jallikattu ban. ( STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Demonstrators held up signs that read: "Save Jallikattu, it's our culture."

Tamil Nadu state ministers D. Jayakumar and Ma Foi Pandiarajan met with the protesters Wednesday and extended their support.

The state's top elected official, O. Paneerselvam, said in a statement he would meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to find a way to meet the people's demand.

Cultural roots

Animal rights activists, including PETA India, have protested the sport, which has involved injuries to animals as well as injuries and fatalities of people.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva, a spiritual leader, said "this is a celebratory kind of festival dedicated to animals. You should not take away the cultural strength of people, especially in rural areas."

Vasudeva said money has brought in evils like people betting on the bulls, "but that can be controlled."