AR Rahman to go on fast supporting protest against Jallikattu ban

O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday with a plea to promulgate an ordinance to allow rural bull sport to be held. However, some jallikattu enthusiasts said they were ready to face the bulls. Rao, who is governor of Maharashtra, holds Tamil Nadu as additional charge and reached Chennai in the evening to give his approval.

Since then, people have been urging the central government to take steps to allow the sport. “We need amendment in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act”, Tirupathy, another protester said, adding that they thank the apex court and the PETA for making a local culture world famous. The event was supposed to be inaugurated by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at 10 am.

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed not to pass judgement for a week on the Jallikattu issue, while taking into account the Centre’s submission that they were in talks with Tamil Nadu to find a way out in the matter.

Lavanya, an engineering student participated in the protest with her mother.

Agitators were told that the ordinance will be replaced by a law.

Following Mr Modi’s assurance, the federal home minister cleared the state government’s proposal for the executive order. Similarly, for this issue, he says he is going to fast tomorrow in support of the people of Tamil Nadu.His tweet reads as, “I’m fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of Tamilnadu!”.

It is not only the constitutional right of the people of Tamil Nadu to conserve it, but also their bounden duty to preserve this rich cultural heritage under Article 51A (f) of the Constitution. This angered a huge population in Tamil Nadu for whom the ban is being seen as an insult to the state’s traditions and culture.

Panneerselvam said the “state’s Jallikattu ordinance route is permanent, robust and sustainable, will be made into a law in the coming Assembly session”. In response, tens of thousands of people have been protesting in the state capital Chennai and other cities over the past week to demand the ban be lifted. The ball is now in the President’s court.

While some trains were canceled, others were diverted.