CHENNAI: Following the Supreme Court’s interim stay of the notification of the Union Ministry of Environment on Jallikattu, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday reiterated her earlier request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promulgate an Ordinance forthwith to enable the conduct of Jallikattu.
“It is very important that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, who have a deep attachment to the conduct of the traditional event of Jallikattu, are respected. Hence, considering the urgency of the issue, I strongly reiterate my earlier request for promulgating an Ordinance for conducting Jallikattu. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu I urge you to take immediate action in this regard,” the Chief Minister said in her letter to the Prime Minister.
Recalling that after her request made on December 22, for promulgating an Ordinance to conduct Jallikattu during the ensuing Pongal festival, the Union Ministry of Environment had issued a notification on January 7, enabling the conduct of the traditional sport in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
“On receipt of the notification, detailed circulars were sent to the Collectors regarding arrangements to be made for the conduct of Jallikattu, strictly in accordance with the conditions and safeguards indicated in the notification and accordingly, arrangements have been made by organisers all over the State,” she said and added that since the Supreme Court had stayed the notification, Jallikattu cannot be conducted.
“With the Pongal festivities commencing from January 14, the public in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu have made all preparations and are eagerly awaiting for conducting Jallikattu as part of the traditional festivities ingrained in their hoary cultural heritage,” she said and added that the Centre should immediately promulgate an Ordinance to enable conducting Jallikattu.