DMK flays Jaya over 'Jallikattu'; urges Centre to allow it

CHENNAI: Urging the Centre to not delay anymore its nod to hold Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, DMK chief M Karunanidhi today criticised Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for not meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue and taking initiatives to conduct the bull taming sport.

"As Pongal festival draws to a close, I again and again urge the Central government to announce giving its nod to hold Jallikattu fulfilling the aspirations of the Tamil Nadu people," he said in a statement.

The sport is traditionally held during the four-day Pongal festival celebrated in mid-January in the state, especially southern districts, but the Supreme Court has last year imposed a ban on it.

Attacking the AIADMK regime, Karunanidhi said: "The State government considers its job done after sending a letter to the Central government over Jallikattu."

Jayalalithaa had on December 23 in a letter to the Centre had urged to introduce a bill to amend laws for conducting Jallikattu. She also suggested convening a special Parliament session for the purpose, or promulgation of an ordinance.

"It is strongly condemnable that the Chief Minister or a senior Minister did not go to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and take initiatives for conducting the brave sport," Karunanidhi said in a statement here.

Referring to Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan expressing hope that the sport could be held as the Central government was taking "all necessary steps," he said, however, the "news" from Delhi was shaking his "confidence."

Quoting some news reports, he claimed that Attorney General Mukhul Rohtagi had opined that giving permission to hold Jallikattu would not be proper.

DMK had recently postponed holding a protest demonstration seeking nod for Jallikattu after assurances by Radhakrishnan that the traditional sport would be held this year.