FULL CASE HISTORY OF JALLIKATTU IN TAMIL NADU(PART-8)

21.Jallikattu ban: Over 500 detained for protesting SC ban in Tamil Nadu’s Alanganallur

In a massive crackdown following the protests against the Supreme Court’s ban on Jallikattu, over 500 persons were detained by police in Alanganallur of Tamil Nadu’s Madurai. With the debate over judicial interference and right to hold Jallikattu – a symbol of Tamil culture, raging on, people of Tamil Nadu had resorted to creative and symbolic protests against Supreme Court’s ban on the event. From holding ‘symbolic’ jallikattu event to decorate black ‘rangoli’ in support of the event, people hold various forms of protests against PETA at Alanganallur in Madurai. Tension prevailed in the area as people gathered in large numbers after news spread that Jallikattu would be conducted at venues where the event was held previously. Police said they were maintaining a strict vigil and would not allow bulls to be released into the crowd.

Thousands of people on Monday took to the streets in Madurai’s Alanganallur town in Tamil Nadu protesting the ban against the ancient and popular bull-taming sport. The protestors including men and women, have assembled in the town well known for conducting Jallikattu. A large contingent of police personnel have been deployed at the venue to prevent any untoward incidents. In Jallikattu, a bull vaulter is expected to hang on to the bull’s hump for a stipulated distance or hold on to the hump for a minimum of three jumps made by the bull.

On Saturday, 149 persons were detained in Madurai district for staging protests against the ban. The Supreme Court on Thursday had said it could not give its verdict on Jallikattu before Pongal. DMK Working President M K Stalin had led a protest in Chennai on Friday in this regard.

The Supreme Court in May 2014 banned the conduct of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. The court also held that bulls cannot be used as performing animals either for Jallikattu events or for bullock cart races in the Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country. Ever since the ban order people have been demanding the central government take necessary legal steps to conduct the sport.

22.Jallikattu ban: 200 held in Madurai as protests continue across Tamil Nadu

More than 200 people were detained by police on Tuesday as protests over a ban on the popular bull-taming sport Jallikattu continued across Tamil Nadu.

The fresh protests were reported from Alanganallur in Madurai district, the nerve centre of Jallikattu which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014 and subsequently upheld.

The crowd had gathered overnight from different parts of the state, demanding an ordinance allowing the sport that is an integral part of Pongal, the state’s harvest festival.

Four temple bulls were used on Monday morning to conduct the sport, before local police stopped the celebrations.

Thousands of people are staging protests across the state since last week when the top court refused to pass a verdict on Jallikattu before Pongal.

On Monday, too, people took to the streets in Alanganallur where people hoisted black flags on their homes and kept their shops closed as a mark protest against the ban.

23.Jallikattu: Tamil Nadu's controversial sport

Due to these protests, on 21 January 2017, the Governor of Tamil Nadu issued a new ordinance that authorized the continuation of jallikattu events. On 23 January 2017 the Tamil Nadu legislature passed a bi-partisan bill, with the accession of the Prime Minister, exempting jallikattu from the Prevention of Cruelity to Animals Act (1960). The first legal jallikattu under this exemption is scheduled on 1 February in Alanganallur, Madurai district.

24.Tamil Nadu Governor signs ordinance for jallikattu

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday promulgated an ordinance for the conduct of jallikattu.

The Union government on Friday cleared the state's draft ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, enabling the conduct of jallikattu.

"The Governor's nod was obtained today for the ordinance to amend Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which has the approval of President Pranab Mukherjee," Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam said.

The chief minister recalled his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He the state government issued an ordinance after obtaining the necessary prior instructions of the President as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution.

"The ordinance was promulgated by the Tamil Nadu government and jallikattu is to be conducted with the customary fervour all over the state with all necessary safeguards," the chief minister said

Jallikattu: Tamil Nadu assembly passes bill to amend PCA Act

25.CHENNAI: A much-awaited bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 to make jallikattu a permanent sport in rural Tamil Nadu was passed by the state assembly unanimously in a special session on Monday evening. By passing the bill, the state government has replaced an ordinance promulgated on January 21

"The state government has decided to exempt the conduct of jallikattu from the provisions of the said central Act and therefore the government decided to amend the Act in its application to Tamil Nadu," said the government.

The bill to amend the PCA Act defines jallikattu as a traditional sport involving bulls that would be conducted in places notified by the state government on any day from January to May. It also includes other sports involving bulls -- manjuviratu, vadamadu and erudhuvidumvizha -- performed in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

Chief minister O Panneerselvam introduced the bill and it was passed by a voice vote with all opposition parties, including DMK, supporting the bill.

"The conduct of jallikattu has faced several hurdles since 2006. In 2011, bull was included on the banned list of animals for sport. As the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is on the concurrent list, even if the state amends the Act, as was done in 2009, it needs to be signed by the President. The 2009 Act was not assented by the President, leading it to be quashed by the Supreme Court," said Panneerselvam.

"As the Supreme Court is yet to give its judgment on the arguments for and against the ban on jallikattu, we decided to amend the Act with the Centre's assurance," he said.

"During my meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi (last week), I received an assurance that the Centre would support Tamil Nadu's steps to hold jallikattu. It is only after this that I took measures to promulgate the ordinance first and now the bill to replace it," said the chief minister.