Pon Radhakrishnan, TN BJP oppose Maneka's remarks

Chennai: Perhaps, Union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi had not met with strong opposition when she criticised her Cabinet colleague Prakesh Javadekar for attempting to bring in laws to lift the ban on jallikattu in June, in so much as she has invoked the ire of Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP.

The state BJP unit want the bulls to roar in the jallikattu despite Ms Maneka’s opposition. Condemning Ms Maneka Gandhi for her remarks, Mr Radhakrishnan said he disagreed with her that there was danger in the bull taming sport. “There is an element of danger in every sport;  even in cricket or kabbadi. But this should be construed as an excuse not to play.”

The jallikattu, he claimed has been a popular sport of valour in the state for years and this could not be held since the last two years due to the Supreme Court ban. “It will be held during the Pongal 2017 inspite of what one says against it,” he said.

Meanwhile, claiming that both the BJP-led government at the Centre and the TN unit were firm on facilitating the jallikattu next year, state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, disagreeing with Ms Maneka, said the jallikattu was a traditional sport of valour and was part and parcel of the Tamil culture. “The Centre will overcome challenges and facilitate the conduct of the sport,” she added.

Pointing out that Ms. Maneka’s opposition to the sport was well known, a senior leader said the Centre was attempting to bring in laws to lift the ban on jallikattu.