As the protests against the ban on Jallikattu intensifies across Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, declared that his government would “take steps with the backing of the Centre” to hold the traditional bull-taming sport. While the state government sought an ordinance “to remove the legal impediments”, Modi expressed his government’s incapability to get in to the matter since it is a “sub-judice” matter, but assured his support to steps by the state.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted that “while appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is presently sub-judice”. However, it added that “the Centre would be supportive of steps taken by the state government.”
Panneerselvam did not explain the “steps” that would be taken, but according to The Indian Express in Chennai that the state may pass a law on Friday evening or Saturday, following which the sport could be held in Alanganallur near Madurai — the usual hub of the Jallikattu event — and other villages on Sunday.
“The law is not going to be the same one that was attempted by late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. It will be modified to avoid the court’s major concerns on issues like animal cruelty,” said a source. “The Chief Minister has extended his stay in Delhi as he hopes to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday. If the President also expresses helplessness, the state will pass the law,” said the source.
In Delhi, speaking to mediapersons after meeting Modi, Panneerselvam said: “We will soon take steps, with the backing of the Centre, for holding the sport. You will soon see (the steps). All is well that ends well. Wait, good will happen”
Meanwhile, as the protests continued with full force, the crowd at the Marina Beach in Chennai extended to tens of thousands by Thursday night. An estimated seven lakh people joined the protests in about 142 places across the state.
Dozens of families headed to the Marina Beach with supplies of bread, biscuits and water for the protesters, who have been camping at the site since Tuesday night. Leading actors Karthi and Sathyaraj were among those who joined the protesters.
