Chennai: Acknowledging that the “mass movement” paved the way for lifting the ban on jallikattu, Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao said the unprecedented and spontaneous outpouring of emotion and sentiment in a completely orderly and peaceful manner by lakhs of youth, supported by common people, has received the solidarity of Tamil people across the globe to conduct Jallikattu and preserve Tamil cultural heritage.
Hours before the Bill replacing the jallikattu ordinance issued on January 21, was unanimously passed in the Assembly on Monday, Mr Vidyasagar said jallikattu is an integral part of the ancient tradition of Tamil Nadu and is inextricably linked to rural and agrarian customs and has religious significance for the TN people. It also addressed the cause of conservation of native breeds.
Blaming the previous UPA Government at the Centre for banning jallikattu, he said late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had relentlessly pursued the issue with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting for suitable amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and also by taking up the matter before the Supreme Court.
The state government relentless pursued the issue and after receiving assurance from the Centre the State Government took the Constitutional route and issued an Ordinance amending the relevant provisions of the PCA Act, 1960 in so far as they relate to Tamil Nadu, thereby enabling the conduct of jallikattu.
“I am very happy to note that as a result, jallikattu has been conducted in Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Vidyasagar said in his maiden address to the TN Assembly for this year’s session, which was boycotted by the DMK.
