Lift jallikattu ban, Stalin tells Centre, Tamil Nadu government, threatens stir

CHENNAI: DMK Treasurer MK Stalin today urged the Centre and state government to remove the ban on 'Jallikattu' and warned that he would lead a protest unless they took steps to enable the bull-taming sport to be held during the Pongal festive season in January.

"If the Centre and state don't take steps for removing the ban and hold jallikattu during the coming Pongal festival, I myself will lead a struggle against this after seeking approval from (DMK President) Kalaignar (Karunanidhi)," he said in a Facebook post.

The DMK government had enacted a legislation in 2009 to ensure the continuance of the bull-taming sport after introducing due regulations.

Supreme Court had last year banned jallikattu, bull races, bull-fights and other uses of bulls in performances, but there have been widespread demands in the state, especially in the southern districts, that Centre make adequate amendments to ensure that the sport is introduced again in 2016.

Supporters of 'jallikattu,' organised to coincide with the Tamil harvest festival of Pongal, have been defending it on the grounds that it is a sport of bravery and is reflective of the local tradition.

Recently, scores of celebrities, including actress Vidya Balan and India Test captain Virat Kohli, had signed a petition by an animal rights advocacy group seeking upholding of the ban on 'jallikattu'.