Sasikala to inaugurate Jallikattu in Madurai?

Organisers of Jallikattu from various parts of southern Tamil Nadu on Monday called on AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala and invited her to inaugurate the bull taming sport.

The famed jallikattu at Alanganallur in Madurai will be held on February 10, the organisers announced on Monday after thanking Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for the steps taken by him to revive the rural sport and inviting Sasikala to inaugurate the grand event.

Earlier this month, the Chief Minister, who had gone to Madurai to inaugurate the event at the famed spot, had to return disappointed due to opposition from a section of the people.

Avaniyapuram will be the first to stage the event (February 5), followed by Palamedu (February 9) and Alanganallur (February 10).

Talking to mediapersons, the organisers of the respective villages said this was decided by their village panchayats. Thanking the chief minister for taking efforts to resume the traditional sport, they also invited him to their places to inaugurate the events.

Denying the suggestion that the invitation would mean politicisation of the event, a senior Minister, hailing from Madurai district, said it was the desire of the organisers to have Sasikala for the events.