The Centre on Friday night passed an ordinance on Jallikattu in a bid to end the protests that have paralyzed Tamil Nadu for the last few days. The ordinance will pave the way for the state government to promulgate it to allow the conduct of controversial bull-taming sport in the state.
As per the reports, the proposal of the TN government was passed by the ministries of home, law and environment without any changes. In the state’s draft Ordinance, bulls will be denotified from the list of ‘performing animals’ in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The development comes a day after CM Panneerselvan met PM Narendra Modi in Delhi. The Ordinance has been sent to the state, said a Home Ministry spokesman. Reportedly, the Ordinance has been sent without referring it to the President.
TN cabinet may meet today to clear the Ordinance and recommend it to the Governor Vidyasagar Rao for declaration. Rao, also the Governor of Maharashtra, will reach Chennai on Saturday morning.
Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and urged him to issue an ordinance for the conduct of the Jallikattu after Tamil Nadu erupted with huge protests over the ban on traditional sport by Supreme Court. PM Modi appreciated the cultural significance of the bull-taming sport, but said the matter is sub-judice.
But the ruling AIADMK said that a resolution would be passed in the state assembly demanding lifting of the ban on Jallikattu and barring of PETA that has resisted the conduct of the sport citing brutality.
Over 10,000 students amassed at Marina Beach in Chennai to protest against Jallikattu ban. The protests that started in Madurai after Pongal festival spread to other parts of the state and police detained more than 200 protesters on Tuesday morning.
Protesters demanded that they will end the protests only after their demands of lifting ban on Jallikattu, banning PETA, the animal rights organisation, and releasing compensation for all drought-hit farmers are met by the Centre.
