'Centre appreciates cultural significance of Jallikattu,' PM Narendra Modi tells Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam

NEW DELHI: As massive protests in favour of the banned Jallikattu continued in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told the state's chief minister that while the Centre appreciated the "cultural significance" of the sport, the matter is in court and a final order is awaited.

"PM Modi said he gives highest importance to cultural values of the state. He assured he will extend full support to us. Gave letter to PM saying that ban on jallikattu must be lifted and Centre should draft an ordinance on it," said Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam after the meeting with the PM.

Panneerselvam said yesterday he would urge PM Modi to get an ordinance passed in favour of continuing the traditional sport. Sources in the Union government indicated that the Centre could take a sympathetic approach, but would wait for the Supreme Court's final order.


"The ban imposed on Jallikattu by the Supreme Court came up for discussion. While appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is presently sub-judice," the Prime Minister's Office said in a series of tweets.

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri O. Paneerselvam, called on the Prime Minister today. pic.twitter.com/F5KkBQExBe

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 19, 2017

The ban imposed on Jallikattu by the Supreme Court came up for discussion.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 19, 2017

While appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is presently sub-judice.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 19, 2017

Jallikattu, or bull-taming, was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014 on the grounds of animal cruelty. Since then, the ban has been revoked and re-imposed a couple of times. The matter is now in the Supreme Court.

However, even as the apex court deliberates - it couldn't give a verdict in time for Pongal when the sport is played - protests broke out all over Tamil Nadu in favour of continuing the sport which Jallikattu supporters say is a "tradition", a matter of "Tamil pride" and something courts don't have a right to pass verdict on.

Marina Beach in Chennai is 'occupied' by protestors demanding Jallikattu be brought back. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 students gathered at Marina Beach in Chennai yesterday. They said they would stay there until they get a response from the Centre on continuing the sport.

Across the state, student protests spread to smaller towns and cities too while students continued their protests in Madurai - the epicentre of jallikattu - and Coimbatore. In Chennai, suburbs like Tambaram, Guduvanchery and Putheri, which have many colleges, students left their classrooms to protest on the road.