Chennai: As the fierce-looking bulls roared in several southern districts in the state and furious bull tamers declared to conduct the sport, come what may, and keep up the ancient Tamil tradition, the BJP here chose the occasion to renew its commitment for getting the ban on jallikattu removed.
Despite a year-long struggle, since the Centre’s January 8, 2016, notification permitting the sport with certain conditions was struck down by the Supreme Court, the BJP has been attempting to do everything within its means to facilitate the conduct of the event, which is a among the chief festivities during the Pongal celebrations in the state. The saffron party has not lost hope on jallikattu.
“We hope that the court’s verdict will surely come in favour of holding jallikattu as the Centre’s efforts will be in this direction. We will be happy if the verdict is delivered in our favour. If not, the Centre will take steps to enact a legislation,” says BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan. Blaming the previous Congress government and the DMK for the present crisis, she said the DMK had remained a silent spectator when the former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh issued a notification banning the use of bulls as performing animals, thereby prohibiting the event.
“It was this notification that the Supreme Court had upheld in 2014. Now the DMK is giving the impression that it is very concerned for the sport. Both the DMK and the Congress should realise their mistakes and stop blaming others for the ban,” she said and flayed their “double standards.” Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan who apologised for his “inability” in facilitating the conduct of jallikattu, said he still nursed the hope that the sport would be held.
