''Jallikattu Sunday'' for TN as Guv sanctions ordinance

Chennai, January 21

Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday sanctioned an ordinance that will allow bull-taming sport Jallikattu to be played in Tamil Nadu, a development that comes after five days of protests in the state. 

Jallikattu events will be held in the state on Sunday, with Chief Minister O Paneerselvam inaugurating one in Madurai's Alanganallur, a major centre for the sport.

In other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am, Panneerselvam said. "Our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."

"I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," he said.

Tamil Nadu government has said it would table a Bill to replace the ordinance in the assembly session that begins on Monday.

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After protests for the rural bull-taming sport escalated in several parts of Tamil Nadu on Friday, the central government cleared a proposed ordinance by the state government.

President Pranab Mukherjee signed his approval on the ordinance on Friday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet earlier in the day: "We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people".

We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2017

Modi said the central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress.

Massive protests at Chennai’s Marina Beach and other parts of the state for lifting a Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu  have drawn several thousands, many of them youngsters.

Protesters have also been demanding a ban on People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animal rights NGO that was among the organisations that moved the court for the ban. — PTI