Chennai: Throwing a challenge at the Supreme Court which banned jallikattu, the traditional sport of Tamils, Naam Thamizhar Katchi leader P. Seeman asserted that his party would defy the ban and conduct jallikattu during next Pongal. Speaking to the media in the southern district of Tirunelveli, the actor-turned-politician said the central government and Karnataka had refused to obey the rulings of the Supreme Court on formation of the Cauvery Management Board.
He said Tamil Nadu government alone is respecting whatever verdict given by the apex court which has acted against the culture of Tamils in jallikattu ban.
Alleging that the ban is a conspiracy to annihilate the local breed of cattle in Tamil Nadu and encourage the use of foreign breeds, Seeman said nothing should be done ignoring farmers and agriculture. P. Maniarasan, leader of Tamil Desiya Periyakkam, a pro-Tamil outfit too urged farmers to defy the ban and conduct jallikattu in the villages as a sign of protest against the Supreme Court verdict. “The bulls are being used for farming activities in Tamil Nadu. What about the use of cow’s milk which is essentially meant for its young one?” he asked. Co-ordinator of Tamil Nadu Farmers Unions Federation P.R. Pandian suggested holding jallikattu in the name ‘manjuvirattu’ and asked the state government to allow the sport in such a name.
