Last week, the Centre had lifted the ban on Jallikattu that had been imposed by the Supreme court ruling in May 2014
Tamil Nadu farmers haven't yet lost hope on Jallikattu - the traditional bull taming sport - despite the Supreme Court's stay on the "tradition". Many of them feel an ordinance by the Centre will pave way for their "function" this Pongal season.
At Palamedu, a bull tamer Kuruvi is still training his animal for the action. He has been spending hundred rupees every day on his prize winning bull Arivu - preparing the fifteen-year-old for Jallikattu after the central government lifted ban on the sport.
The controversial sport, opposed by animal rights activists and championed by politicians, was put on hold by the Supreme Court on Tuesday just five days after the union government lifted a ban on it.
Last week, the Centre had lifted the ban on Jallikattu that had been imposed by the top court ruling in May 2014.
"Jallikattu will take place even despite the ban. I've raised him him for this since I was fifteen years," Kuruvi said.
There's tension in several pockets of southern Tamil Nadu - the home for Jallikattu. Many are shaving their heads in protests and several groups are planning to host the sport.
"I don't need the court's permission for my family wedding. Jallikattu is like my family function," another farmer said.
The festival was not held last year - it was banned by the erstwhile UPA government when the DMK was part of the alliance. This time, the DMK had demanded that the ban on the festival be lifted.
State elections in Tamil Nadu are due later this year, and all parties have been urging the Centre to sanction the sport.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who, like other politicians, had lobbied heavily for the event to be allowed, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to use an executive order or ordinance to allow the sport to be held. DMK leader M Karunanidhi also issued a similar appeal to the prime minister.
The Tamil Nadu government can enact an ordinance to permit Jallikattu during Pongal festival and New Delhi will back it, Minister of State for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman had said yesterday.
Sources say, the environment ministry is turning the heat on the chairman and vice chairman of the Animal Welfare Board. They've been asked to resign for taking on the government, say sources.