In January 2017, thousands of people gathered at Chennai’s Marina Beach to protest against the ban on Jallikattu. (Getty)
Jallikattu was banned between 2014 and 2016 and after the demise of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, protests against the ban intensified, paving the way for the sport to be held from 2017.
Political parties in Tamil Nadu unanimously welcomed the “landmark decision” of the Supreme Court to uphold the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules, 2017 , traditional game.
In January 2017, a massive protest involving thousands took place at Chennai’s Marina Beach against the ban on Jallikattu, prompting the then AIADMK government led by O Panneerselvam to pass an ordinance in favor of the bull-taming sport. Had to be forced
With the top court saying it did not interfere with the finding of the state legislature that bull-taming was part of the cultural heritage and tradition of the people, the DMK thanked its leader MK Stalin for the victory. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, DMK leader and MP K Kanimozhi said the state government has ensured that Tamil people get justice.
“We know that the youth of Tamil Nadu have come together to preserve this game which has been a part of Tamil culture for centuries and we are very proud of it. Today our Chief Minister fought this case in the Supreme Court and the Tamil Nadu government ensured that we get justice. It is not justice but celebration of our culture which is the right of the people of this state. It is a very good sign that the Supreme Court has today recognized the culture and tradition of the Tamil people.
While animal rights activists are demanding that the sport of Jallikattu be banned as it amounts to cruelty against animals, Kanimozhi said all procedures are in place to keep the bulls safe during the events.
“There are very strict procedures in place to ensure that there is no cruelty to animals and they are treated well and are healthy. This has happened for so many centuries. People lived with nature 1,000-2,000 years ago and Since then this tradition has continued. You (animal rights activists) must understand that people understand nature better than today.”
Meanwhile, the state BJP thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the historic decision.
K Annamalai tweeted, “On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu and the people of Tamil Nadu, we thank our Honorable PM Thiru @narendramodi avl for his persistent efforts to completely lift the ban on Tamil Nadu’s cultural sport Jallikattu.”
The BJP also blamed the Congress and its allies for the ban on Jallikattu. “At this juncture, we would also like to share that Smt. Sowmya Reddy of Congress party was one of the petitioners seeking ban on Jallikattu but was defeated by Thiru CK, BJP candidate in Jayanagar constituency in the recent Karnataka assembly elections Ramamoorthy lost to AVL. It is noteworthy that VCK leader Thiru Thol Thirumavalavan campaigned for Smt Sowmya Reddy. People of Tamil Nadu can no longer be fooled by the Congress party and their allies. If any Jallikattu from inception till now stood for, it was our Honorable PM Thiru @narendramodi avl,” Annamalai tweeted.
Former chief minister and ousted AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam said: “I consider it the greatest fortune of my lifetime that this law was brought during my tenure as chief minister.”
Jallikattu was banned between 2014 and 2016 and after the demise of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, protests against the passage of the ban snowballed into holding the sport from 2017.
