The Tamil Nadu government has decided to take the ordinance route for conducting jallikattu and a draft to amend sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been sent to the Home Ministry, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said in Delhi on Friday. "The Home Ministry sends the draft along with its recommendations to the President. Once the President's assent is obtained, the Governor would be able to promulgate the ordinance," Mr. Panneerselvam told reporters in Delhi. He also said that it was expected that after the promulgation, jallikattu would be conducted within two days." He also appealed to protesters to withdraw their agitation. Referring to the statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Centre would be "supportive" of the State government's efforts over jallikattu, the Chief Minister said he was hopeful of getting Centre's support on the issue. Mr. Panneerselvam also added that he had extended his stay in Delhi only to make sure that necessary steps were taken towards promulgating an ordinance for conducting jallikattu. He had held discussions with legal experts in Delhi over the matter last night.
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Mr. Panneerselvam sounded confident of seeing the matter through as he recalled the Prime Minster’s assurance of support to any legal steps by his government to allow the bull taming sport in the state and said the ordinance will be issued in a day or two.
“As said by the Prime Minster, we will get full Central cooperation on this matter. So, with the ban about to be removed and Jallikattu likely in a day or two, I request the public, students and other organisations who have been protesting to withdraw their agitation,” he said, flanked by among others, State Animal Husbandry Minister P Balakrishna Reddy.
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