TN clears ordinance for Jallikattu

Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has approved the jallikattu ordinance and the bull taming sport will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state tomorrow.

The ordinance was signed by Rao, who came from Maharashtra on Saturday evening for this specific purpose. Accordingly, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will be amended through this ordinance.

Chief minister O Panneerselvam said, "As a follow up to the meeting with Prime Minister on January 19, to enable the conduct of Jallikattu, the Government of Tamil Nadu issued an Ordinance after obtaining the necessary prior instructions of the President of India as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution."

Recalling the steps taken by the government since the Supreme court ban in 2014, Panneerselvam said the steps taken by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to protect the state's right and tradition was instrumental in promulgating this Ordinance, that has paved way for holding Jallikattu.

Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received last night.

"The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from Govenor also," he said, adding, "our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."