Reach out, pacify pro-jallikattu groups, Stalin tells Panneerselvam

“Despite its safeguards, an ordinance that does not enjoy the confidence of people will not yield any practical results. Therefore, the Chief Minister should stop insisting that the ordinance route is permanent and talk to the protesting youths and explain to them the state government’s efforts for a permanent solution to the matter and pacify them,” DMK working president M K Stalin said.

Panneerselvam should inform the protesters of the state government’s efforts for a permanent solution and the level of Central cooperation for this purpose, besides the steps taken to ensure unhindered conduct of the sport annually, he said. 

The Chief Minister should convince the protesters that the ordinance will pave the way for holding jallikattu this year and that there should be a permanent solution from next year onwards, he said in a statement. MDMK leader Vaiko accused DMK and Congress of “trying to fish in troubled waters,” on the issue. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he sought steps from the Centre to ensure the annual conduct of jallikattu in the state. 

TNCC president Su Thirunavukkarasar said the Chief Minister had brought the ordinance in ‘haste’ with the aim of holding jallikattu ‘temporarily’ this year but protests were on for the Centre to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Other opposition parties also wanted the Centre to take steps for conducting the bull taming sport annually without any hindrance.