Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Saturday asserted that the Tamil Nadu-specific amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act de-notifying bulls from the list of performing animals was a "permanent solution" and the ordinance will be replaced by a legislation in the upcoming Assembly session.
Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport before leaving for Madurai to throw open the 'vaadi vaasal' (the traditional entrance through which bulls enter the jallikattu track), Panneerselvam declared that the bull sport will be held in Alanganallur on Sunday.
"This is the permanent solution. We have got the Presidential assent for the ordinance and it has been promulgated by the Governor. We will replace the ordinance with a law in the coming Assembly session beginning Monday though the tenure of an ordinance is six months. I assure students and youth that we are not going to wait for six months. We will do it in the coming session," Panneerselvam said.
The Chief Minister, who spearheaded the Tamil Nadu Government's efforts to get a state-specific ordinance to ensure conduct of jallikattu, exuded confidence that students and protesting youth, would appreciate the "historic" decision of his administration to end the stalemate on jallikattu.
To repeated questions on the protesters demand that they need a permanent solution, OPS said he can give an assurance to the people of Tamil Nadu the sta-te-specific ordinance that has been promulgated on Saturday and subsequent replacement with a law will be a "long-lasting solution".
He also said the peaceful protests by students and the people of the state have shown that they always abide by discipline. During his interaction, the CM also recalled efforts made by late Jayalalithaa and AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala to ensure that a permanent solution to jallikattu issue is found.
"Bulls will reach Alanganallur by Saturday night and vaadi vaasal will be opened on Sunday morning. All of you will witness bulls come roaring out of the vaadi vaasal," Panneerselvam said again, reiterating that jallikattu event will be held on Sunday morning.
Tamil Nadu Assembly session convenes on Monday and is expected to continue for a week and the jallikattu legislation will be passed given every political party supports it.
