Ban on bull-taming sport is sub judice, says Modi

On Friday morning, the crowds at Marina Beach in Chennai swelled as the demand to lift the ban on Jallikattu grew louder.

Many colleges in the city declared a holiday for the day today and this is expected to increase the number of people protesting at Marina beach, which has turned into a sea of humanity. Besides the capital, other parts of the state will also see massive protests.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam met Modi in Delhi and urged him to promulgate the ordinance January 19.

Modi has told Panneerselvam that he can not use an ordinance or executive order to remove the ban. However, jallikattu is an age-old tradition in Tamil Nadu and continues to enjoy significant popularity. Others have also joined the protest because it is not only about bulls, or cockfighting that you have in Andhra. If even a few hundred watch my films in the state, I will extend my full support for Jallikattu, maybe the audience for my films will go from few hundreds to few thousands. The mass protest on Friday will affect public life and public transport. Locally called Eruthazhuvuthal or Manju virattu, the sport involves instigating a bull and letting it loose in an arena. “Tamil bulls are uniquely agile and majestic, and dedicated festivals like Jallikattu are key to preserve the native breeds in this region”.

Today, the Supreme Court refused to restrict the Tamil Nadu police from taking “coercive action” against the protesters and asked the petitioner to approach Madras High Court for any such relief.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva, a spiritual leader, said “this is a celebratory kind of festival dedicated to animals”. According to observers, the chief minister risks the Supreme Court’s wrath if the sport is allowed.

“As promised by the Prime Minister, the Centre will extend all support for this effort of the State government”.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam has announced that his government has made a decision to promulgate an ordinance to conduct Jallikattu the traditional bull-taming sport which has been banned by the Supreme Court of Indian on May 7, 2014.

However, political parties and thousands of the protesting youths in Tamil Nadu were not amused by Modi’s response to the Jallikattu ordinance request.