Protestors demand permanent solution to Jallikattu, refuse to accept ordinance

TN government had issued an ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act so that Jallikattu can be held.

Chennai, Jan 21: Rejecting the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to facilitate Jallikattu, people holding protests here in support of the bull-taming sport demanded a "permanent" and not temporary solution.

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday issued the ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to hold Jallikattu, which was banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014.

Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam will flag off the event at Alanganallur in Madurai district, famous for the sport, on Sunday. However the protesting youths were clearly not impressed.

"The ordinance is valid only for six months. We want a permanent solution, whereby the central government amends the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act," a protester told IANS. At Alanganallur, where the youth protest first began on January 16, similar views were expressed by the protesters.

"People are fighting for a permanent solution. Doesn't the government know that? The ordinance is just to make the protesters disperse," a protester said in Alanganallur.

The protesters made clear their intentions to continue with their protest and also requested fellow protesters not to distribute sweets and celebrate the government's decision.

IANS