Jallikattu Begins In Parts Of TN Amid Continuing Protests

Chennai: Jallikattu began in parts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, including Tiruchirappalli district, with traditional fervour even as protests continued at Alanganallur in Madurai, where people refused to hold the famous sport seeking a "permanent solution".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who had on Saturday said that he would inaugurate the event at Alanganallur, 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.

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.

According to the officials, Panneerselvam is now expected to inaugurate Jallikattu at Kovilpatti near Natham in Dindigul district. Jallikattu remained banned following a Supreme Court order in May 2014. Meanwhile, officials were also making arrangements for holding Jallikattu in Alanganallur. Officials are trying to pacify and convince Jallikattu organisers that the ordinance is the permanent solution.

Agitators were told that the ordinance will be replaced by a law. A Bill in this regard will be adopted in the Assembly and it will become a permanent law and solution as well, they said.

No Jallikattu In Madurai

Jallikattu, Tamil Nadu's bull taming sport, will not be held in Alanganallur in Madurai district on Sunday despite a government nod as no preparation has been done, the organisers said.

"The Supreme Court had laid the guidelines for holding Jallikattu. But there was no time to carry out the work (to hold it)," an official of one of the groups fighting for Jallikattu said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Saturday said he would inaugurate the sport in the town. His announcement came after the state government issued an ordinance amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to hold Jallikatttu, which was banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014. "The government should have consulted the local community on the readiness to hold the sport. This is a community sport like any temple festival, not a government or political function," the official said. "The people are protesting for a permanent solution... We have to mobilise the local community to hold Jallikattu."

The Supreme Court had banned Jallikattu, saying that bulls cannot be used as performing animals including in bullock cart races. Meanwhile, the massive youth protest in Chennai's Marina Beach entered its seventh day on Sunday. The protest that started with a handful of a people on January 17 morning is now attracting lakhs to the beach daily. The number is expected to increase on Sunday.

TN Files Caveat In SC To Defend Its Ordinance On Jallikattu

New Delhi: Anticipating challenge to its ordinance allowing bull-taming sport Jallikattu in the state, Tamil Nadu government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court.

Tamil Nadu government's standing counsel Yogesh Kanna confirmed the development and said the state has urged the apex court that it should be heard if anyone challenges the newly promulgated ordinance. "We have filed the caveat in the Supreme Court yesterday asking for the state government to be heard in case anyone challenges the ordinance allowing Jallikattu," he said.

Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao had on Saturday approved the jallikattu ordinance, with Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announcing that the bull taming sport will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state tomorrow. The Supreme Court had on Friday agreed not to pass a judgement for a week on the Jallikattu issue after taking into account the Centre's submission that they were in talks with Tamil Nadu to find a way out in the matter.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had then mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumati that people of Tamil Nadu were "passionate" about Jallikattu and the Centre and the state were trying to resolve the issue. "The Centre and the state are in talks to find a way out in the matter and our request is that the court should not deliver the judgement for at least a week," Rohatgi told the bench. On hearing the AG's brief submission, the bench said "Okay".