Chennai sources have stated that as pro-Jallikattu protests across Tamil Nadu continued to gain steam with a group of youngsters continuing their agitation here through the night, the state government today held talks with agitators and assured its commitment to hold the bull taming sport in the state. The government has also told the youths that it would even approach the President seeking an ordinance on the matter.
Meanwhile the State Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar along with his cabinet colleague K Pandiarajan held talks with representatives of the protesting youth here in the wee hours, said the 50 AIADMK Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs will “exert required pressure on the Center” for conduct of Jallikattu.
Tamil Nadu has been urging the Center repeatedly to
issue an ordinance for the conduct of Jallikattu, held during the Tamil harvest
festival Pongal in mid January. More than 200 youths were taken into custody on
Monday night after they held protests at Alanganallur village demanding lifting
of the ban on Jallikattu. Responding to the protesters’ demands for an
assurance from Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for conducting Jallikattu, School
Education Minister Pandiarajan said the government cannot give any oral
assurance and indicated that the chief minister could issue a statement later
in the day on the matter.
The ministers have urged the protesters to withdraw
their agitation. Chandramohan, one of the representatives who held talks with
the ministers on behalf of the protesters, insisted that the chief minister
support the bull taming sport. He has added that "The government should
understand the sentiments of the people and exert pressure on the Center. They
(ministers) have assured to find a solution".
