Chennai: Chief Minster J Jayalalithaa requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday to take steps to promulgate an ordinance to enable conduct of ‘Jallikattu’ during Pongal, 2016.
The CM stated in a letter to Modi that the inability to conduct Jallikattu (taming of the bulls) evoked widespread resentment among the people, particularly in rural areas as the sport is part of the state’s cherished tradition.
She requested him to consider convening a special session of Parliament to introduce a Bill to amend the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and or any other relevant laws to enable the conduct of Jallikattu during the Pongal festival.
She said “Jallikattu, a traditional sporting event, has been conducted as part of the Pongal festivities in rural Tamil Nadu for centuries. Bulls, which were reared exclusively for this event, were tamed by able bodied youth. The sport, mentioned in the great epic “Silappathigaram”, was popular among warriors since the “Sangam era”.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
