Tamil Nadu government exploring all kinds of options to conduct jallikattu

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government on Thursday was exploring all options, including bringing a legislation as suggested by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, to ensure conduct of jallikattu. Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam also decided to stay put in New Delhi to coordinate efforts with the Union Government. Mr Panneerselvam, who was scheduled to return to Chennai Thursday evening, decided to extend his stay in the national capital after his meeting with Modi. At the Tamil Nadu House, he also consulted with legal experts on the options available with the state government in ensuring that the traditional sport is held this year.

Though there is an apprehension that the Supreme Court may interfere even if the state government brings a law to allow jallikattu, the state government seems to be in a mood to enact a legislation keeping in mind the protests in Tamil Nadu whose canvas has gone beyond jallikattu. The protesters have been raising anti-Union Government slogans accusing the Centre of not heeding to the requests of Tamils and alienating them.

Mr Rohatgi, who on Thursday evening told media that the state government has all powers to bring a legislation to allow jallikattu since it is a sport played only in Tamil Nadu, is likely to call on Mr Panneerselvam on Friday. “All options are open. We are not ruling out any option. The A-G is meeting the CM and officials of the TN Government are expected to meet Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave on Friday to explore other possibilities,” a senior TN Government functionary told Deccan Chronicle.

Meanwhile, animal husbandry minister P. Balakrishna Reddy rushed to New Delhi on Thursday night from Bengaluru and is expected to meet Mr Dave along with government officials. Though a meeting of the State Cabinet is scheduled for Friday evening, it was not clear till the time of writing whether the meeting would happen since there was no clarity on when Mr Panneerselvam would return to Chennai.