Tension in south over jallikattu ban

Chennai: Tension simmers in the southern districts as district collectors deny permission to jallikattu, citing the latest Supreme Court ruling issued early this year. Political leaders have started issuing statements insisting that the state and Central government intervene and allow bull fights this Pongal. The organisers of jallikattu in Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur have petitioned the district administration, seeking permission to organise bull taming, but revenue authorities remain tight lipped over the applications and may turn down the plea from the organisers.

“Villagers in the southern districts are deeply hurt as the authorities are delaying the permission order this year. We have been following the guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court and the animal welfare board of India. Jallikattu is associated with our culture and traditional sport and hence government should look into the issue and allow conducting jallikattu in a peaceful manner,” said P. Rajasekaran, state president, Federation for jallikattu organizers. “We have also expressed our demands to the chief minister in this regard and will abide by the court regulations but there is need for an immediate ordinance permitting jallikattu,” he said.

Meanwhile, actor turned politician Sarath Kumar, in a statement, urged state government to look into the popular demand of people and termed jallikattu a historical sport embedded in Tamil culture. Temple rituals during Pongal and jallikattu are part of the Hindu festival of Pongal and the issue has to be solved at the earliest, he said.

“The Supreme Court has stood against animal cruelty and awarded a landmark judgment early this year. The court has also struck down the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009 as illegal and if jallikattu is organized anywhere this year, a contempt petition will be moved against the authorities and the organisers,” said F.M. Jerold, animal welfare officer, Animal Welfare Board Of India.