: Holding that jallikattu was an integral part of the social, cultural and religious sentiments of Tamils, a policy note of the Animal Husbandry Department tabled in the Assembly on Friday stated that the State government was taking all efforts to resume the event.
“Consistent efforts have been taken over the last several months to denotify bull from the list of performing animals. A team headed by the Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu has held discussions with the officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Attorney General of India on the above mentioned issue,” the note stated.
Supreme Court banThough jallikattu was a “5,000-year old tradition and a history associated within the socio cultural ethos of rural Tamil Nadu” , many have moved the courts against the tradition and the Supreme Court had in May 2014 imposed a ban on the conduct of jallikattu . Within 12 days of the order, the Government of Tamil Nadu moved the apex court seeking a review of the judgment and it is currently pending. The note also listed out the efforts taken by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to lift the ban against jallikattu , including memorandums handed over to the Prime Minister. A common counter affidavit was filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu on March 8 this year and the case has been posted for August 30 for final disposal.
