Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao has approved the Jallikattu ordinance by Tamil Nadu government
Highlights
- Chief Minister promised to make Jallikattu legal in next assembly session
- Locals want 'permanent solution', not ordinance that expires in 6 months
- Protests in Chennai continue, threatening to disrupt Jan 26 celebrations
Jallikattu made a re-appearance in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, claiming the lives of two men in Pudukottai. The men, who were injured while holding on to a bucking bull, died on the way to the hospital. The traditional bull-taming festival was held in some parts of Tamil Nadu, even though locals in Madurai's Alanganallur, where Chief Minister O Panneerselvam was expected to inaugurate the event, refused to hold the sport, demanding a 'permanent solution'. The state had passed an Ordinance or an executive order -- which expires in six months -- that allows the sport this year. Thousands are continuing the protest in Chennai's Marina Beach.
Here are the top 10 developments in this story:
Jallikattu was inaugurated by Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar in Pudukottai, where hundreds of youngsters took part. The deceased were identified as 32-year-old Mohan and Raja, 35, sources said.
Chief Minister Panneerselvam had said "enough security arrangements were made for Jallikattu, its being organised well across the state," the AIADMK had tweeted.
In Allanganallur, people blocked the roads leading to 'Vaadi Vaasal', the gateway from where bulls come out. Alanganallur, around 400 km from state capital Chennai, is the only place where Jallikattu is held as an official function of the government. So holding it there would have meant that the sport has officially started in the state.
At Chennai's Marina beach, where protests have been on 24x7 since the beginning of last week, the crowds have not relented. The protesters have said they will not allow the Republic Day celebrations at Beach Road until the Jallikattu issue is resolved. The police, which had not been at the protest site so far, turned up today in large numbers.
The bull taming sport, though, was held in Tiruchirappali district's Manapparai, with thousands witnessing the event. 'Manjuvirattu', another form of Jallikattu, was reported from villages in Dharmpauri district.
All Tamil Nadu ministers were expected inaugurate Jallikattu in their districts at 11 am today. "I urge the youths, students and the general public to make Jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," the Chief Minister had said on Saturday.
Dismissing claims that the Jallikattu ordinance was a temporary way out, Mr Panneerselvam has promised to make the sport legal once the assembly session begins on Monday.
On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed to not deliver its verdict next week after the Centre pointed out that a decision could create law and order problems.
Jallikattu, which sees young men wrestling with a bull in an open field during the harvest festival of Pongal, was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014. Last year, the Centre allowed the sport, but that decision has been challenged in the Supreme Court.
During Pongal last week, hundreds defying the ban to hold local competitions were arrested, triggering a massive backlash. Students took the lead in rallying people across the state. On Marina beach, thousands gathered as part of a peaceful protest.
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