Jallikattu ban 'removed completely', will bring permanent law soon: TN CM
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Sunday said that the ban on Jallikattu has been ‘removed completely’ following the signing of an ordinance to the effect by state governor CH Vidyasagar Rao.
“We will bring the draft of a permanent law on Jallikattu in the Tamil Nadu assembly soon,” the CM added.
Asserting that Jallikattu was held throughout Tamil Nadu on Sunday, Panneerselvam stated that it will be held at Alanganallur in Madurai on a date decided by the locals.
Locals in the area had earlier refused to hold the sport, voicing their opposition to the ordinance promulgated yesterday and calling for a ‘permanent solution’ instead. They also demanded a ban on People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which has opposed the sport.
Panneerselvam, who was supposed to inaugurate the event at Alanganallur on Sunday, had to return to Chennai due to the protests.
At Alanganallur several sections of agitators declined to hold the sport. They blocked the ways to the entry and exit points of the sprawling sporting area.
A group of organisers removed the bulls from the arena as well. They demanded a permanent solution, declining to accept the ordinance promulgated to hold the sport.
Jallikattu began in parts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, including Tiruchirappalli district, with traditional fervour.
Panneerselvam is now expected to do so in neighbouring Dindigul district.
The bull taming sport began at Manapparai in Tiruchirappali district with thousands witnessing the event as bulls roared out into the sporting arena.
Youths tried to hold on to the hump for a brief distance as the animals sped fast towards the exit. Hundreds of bulls and youths participated in the show. Owners of winning animals and youngsters were awarded with prize money.
'Manjuvirattu', another form of jallikattu, was reported from villages in Dharmpauri district.
Sections of protesters continued to stay put at several locations in the state, including the Marina here.
Jallikattu remained banned following a Supreme Court order in May 2014.
Jallikattu was inaugurated by Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar in Pudukottai where hundreds of youngsters are competing.
Bulls are being let into the sporting arena one by one and the youths are trying to jump on to the hump of the bulls which are trained to not allow participants to get near them.
The sport is being witnessed by thousands of spectators.
Top district police and local government officials are overseeing the conduct of the sport. They said all precautionary, security measures are in place.
Meanwhile, "Rekla Race" (Ox cart race) popular in the "Kongu" region (Western Tamil Nadu) of the State is all set to start at the sprawling Codisa Grounds in the textile city of Coimbatore.
Each two-wheeled cart will be driven by its owner and the cart will be steered by two bulls latched on to the yoke.
Shortly, Local Administration and Rural Development Minister S P Velumani will inaugurate the race in which many enthusiastic participants are in the fray.
