Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi 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.
The chief minister had earlier told media that he would tell PM of the sentiments and aspirations attached to the sport. “The (state) government is walking the path of Amma (Jayalalithaa). We will take all legal measures till we get justice in the Jallikattu issue,” he said, according to reports. “We should not construe that the Centre is ignoring Tamil Nadu on this issue,” he added.
The ruling AIADMK also 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.
After Jallikattu protests attracted huge strength across Tamil Nadu, chief minister O Panneerselvam said he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to get an ordinance passed in favor of the customary bull-taming sport.
Over 10,000 students amassed at Marina Beach in Chennai on Wednesday to protest against Jallikattu ban. Police took 14 protesters, all law students, to Panneerselvam for a meeting at his residence in the evening. Following the 10-minute meeting, the students told reporters that they won’t scatter regardless of the CM assuring them that he would speak to the PM.
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.
