CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu chief minister O
Panneerselvam on Wednesday announced that he would meet Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday to get an
ordinance
passed to enable the conduct of
jallikattu -- a traditional bull taming-sport -- and appealed to protesters to give up their agitation.
READ ALSO: Tamil Nadu witnessing mass student uprising for jallikattuAll 39 AIADMK MPs are likely to accompany the chief minister to meet Modi.
In a statement, the chief minister assured that his government would take all steps to ensure that the ban on jallikattu is lifted. “The non-violent protests of the students and general public to establish our rights, protect our culture and outpour of pent-up grief reflect our sentiments. I assure you that the government would continue to take all efforts to ensure jallikattu,” Panneerselvam said.
The Supreme Court is yet to decide on a petition filed by animal rights groups challenging a notification of the BJP government in January 2016, permitting jallikattu.
“Only the Centre has the powers to promulgate an ordinance, if one has to hold the event ahead of the court order. The state government has been continuously working on this,” the chief minister said.
He reposed faith in judiciary and said the Supreme Court would pronounce a favourable verdict for the conduct of jallikattu.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.