DMK, treasury benches cross sword in Tamil Nadu Assembly over Jallikattu
Chennai: The Jallikattu issue echoed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today with LoP M K Stalin and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam crossing swords as the DMK leader demanded revocation of prohibitory order on the Marina beach clamped under section 144 of CrPC.
When the legal process to allow Jallikattu was completed by the state in three days, which began with an Ordinance and ended with an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, why similar action was not taken in the past three years, Stalin asked.
He also wanted the prohibitory order clamped under section 144 of the CrPC lifted from the Marina beach since the place is frequented by the public.
Asserting that action was taken earlier too to ensure that the sport is allowed, Panneerselvam recalled the legal background of the matter including a Supreme Court stay on a January-2016 notification of the Centre to allow Jallikattu.
He stressed that former chief minister Jayalalithaa took several steps to secure nod for Jallikattu. She took legal steps, raised the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for holding the sport, he said.
Earlier, when DMK member Moorthy participating in the motion of thanks to Governor's Address said Jallikattu was conducted during former chief minister Karunanidhi's regime despite the matter going to the court, Panneerselvam said.
Presidential assent was not obtained for a Jallikattu regulatory Act enacted by the then DMK regime in 2009, and hence it was struck down by the Supreme Court.
Also, Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam defended the government and referred to cases in the High Court and its outcome over Jallikattu.
Stalin, citing interviews of a police official to the media on Jallikattu protests and related violence, asked if it was permissible under rules as the matter was being probed.
He said the views of the official and Panneerselvam varied in respect of the motive of a (section of) agitators on spoiling the conduct of Republic Day celebrations. "Which (view) is right? How he (police official) can participate in such TV shows with full uniform and that too contradicting the Chief Minister, does the rules permit it?" Stalin asked to which Panneerselvam said the matter will be looked into.
