Tamil Nadu Govt in tight spot as opposition supports defying SC ban on Jallikattu
CHENNAI: Buckling under the pressure of the intensifying agitation of students and youth, the opposition parties are now backing the idea of defying the Supreme Court’s jallikattu ban. This has put the AIADMK government of O. Panneerselvam in a tight spot. Small outfits have already shown their contempt for the SC order and conducted the sport in a few places like Thiruvanthiapuram in Cuddalore district.
The state government is being pushed into an unenviable position of having to choose between quelling the efforts to defy the ban or risk facing a contempt petition in the Supreme Court. The government could face strong resentment among the people if it chooses to go against the popular opinion and suppresses the attempts to defy the jallikattu ban. However, an ordinance by the Centre to allow the traditional game could save the state government from the growing crisis.
The opposition leaders expressed shock at the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear Tamil Nadu government’s petition to take up the jallikattu case immediately.
Any government that suppresses students’ protest will fall: Stalin
While the Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin warned that any government that suppressed student agitations would fall, BJP senior leader Subramanian Swamy demanded the dismissal of the state government if the Supreme Court order is defied. Opposing Swamy's demand, a group of students gathered before the state BJP headquarters here and tried to lay siege to the building. They were dispersed by the police using mild force.
When asked if the DMK would defy the ban and organise jallikattu, Stalin said he would discuss with senior leaders if the party itself should organise the sport or support other outfits defying the jallikattu ban.
TNCC chief S. Thirunavukkarasar accused the BJP government at the Centre of not taking proper action to hold jallikattu and asked why the AIADMK MPs had not raised their voice in Parliament for the sport.
When asked about outfits defying the ban at a press meet in Delhi, he said under the prevailing circumstances, such things are inevitable.
The PMK openly supported defiance of the Supreme Court order if the Centre did not issue an ordinance to allow the sport. Party founder S. Ramadoss said no force could stop the conduct of jallikattu throughout the state with the support of all sections of people.
CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said oppressive acts had not succeeded and asked the concerned parties (the Centre and Supreme Court) to safeguard their honour by respecting people's sentiments. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan asked the state government to face contempt of court to protect Tamil culture.
‘Protests remind of 1965 anti-Hindi agitations’
DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Thursday said the students protest demanding the lifting of jallikattu ban reminds the 1965 anti-Hindi agitations and warned of a big rebellion in the state if the demands of students are not met.
Tamil people support jallikattu at Greenville in South Carolina.
Addressing the students of New College, who held a demonstration demanding permission to jallikattu, he expressed the DMK's support to the agitations. Citing the promises of Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and state BJP president Tamilisai Soundarrajan on holding the sport this year, Stalin said permission for jallikattu had not been obtained yet.
A member of Hindu Makkal Katchi douses himself with cow dung, at Sastri Bhavan, demanding the conduct of jallikattu. (Photo: DC)
The DMK leader asked the state and central governments to approach the Chief Justice of Supreme Court and create a conductive atmosphere for conducting jallikattu. He also urged the centre to issue an ordinance to hold the sport.
Welcoming Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's meeting with AP counterpart Chandrababu Naidu to solve the drinking water crisis, he said the same efforts should have been made on the jallikattu issue too. He also announced that he would lead a protest on January 13 demanding permission for jallikattu. TNCC chief S. Thirunavukkarasar said his party would participate in the protest.
