Chennai, Jan 13: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged the central government to immediately issue an ordinance to permit Jallikattu, hours after the Supreme Court stayed the bull taming sport citing cruelty to the animal.
As news of the ruling stunned Tamil Nadu where the event is held during Pongal celebrations starting on January 14, Jayalalithaa said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “I strongly reiterate my earlier request to promulgate an ordinance forthwith to enable the conduct of Jallikattu.”
Jallikattu, reputedly one of the oldest living sports, was part of the traditional festivities ingrained in the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, the chief minister said.
“It is very important that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, who have a deep attachment to the conduct of the traditional event of Jallikattu, are respected,” she added. “On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urge you to take immediate action in this regard.”
Jayalalithaa’s communication followed a Supreme Court stay on the operation of a central government notification issued on Friday that gave the green signal to Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.
Observing that Jallikattu amounted to heaping cruelty on animals, an apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Mishra said the sport cannot be permitted in the 21st century.
The Supreme Court had in May 2014 banned the sport. On Friday, the central government issued a notification, in response to appeals from the Tamil Nadu government, effectively reversing the 2014 ban.
Petitioner Gauri Maulekhi said they had wanted the central government notification quashed. “The court has stayed it.” The apex court issued notices to New Delhi and other respondents.
Bulls are specifically bred for Jallikattu, which involves young men trying to tame the powerful animals. Many youths get killed or are injured in the process but the event’s popularity has only grown.
Animal rights activists, who welcomed the Supreme Court order, say there can be no justification for anything where animals are treated harshly.
In a related development, an expert on cattle warned that a blanket ban on Jallikattu would greatly harm Indian breeds of bulls in the long run and lead to import of foreign animals.
The bull runs for a short distance in an open ground during which time youths have to hold on to its hump for a minimum period of time, he said.
