The Commission of Inquiry appointed to inquire into the causes and circumstances leading to the violent incidents that took place on January 23 this year in various parts of the State over conduct of jallikattu has been granted an extension of another three months. The commission, which has now got its third extension, is expected to submit its report by January 31 next year.
It may be recalled that after protests by various sections of people urging the government to amend relevant Acts enabling the conduct of jallikattu , State government officials led by the then Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam met the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, seeking an ordinance over the issue.
After an ordinance was promulgated by the Governor, a Bill was passed in the State Legislative Assembly. However, as some protesters refused to disperse in various parts of the State, police had to use force. This led to violent incidents across the State.
Following this, the State government had, in January this year, appointed a Commission of Inquiry under retired High Court judge S. Rajeswaran to inquire into the clashes and to determine whether the force used by the police was appropriate. The commission was to submit its report within three months.
Interestingly, the book Those Eventful Days, capturing the tenure of the then Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, referred to the jallikattu protests as “cultural awakening” and lauded the way the agitation remained peaceful for a large part.
It went on to contend that the protests “became a wonderful advertisement for the power of non-violence that is ingrained in Indian ethos.”
