Two gored to death in Pudukkottai Jallikattu

While most districts postponed jallikattu despite the special ordinance on Saturday, Vijayabaskar organised the event at his village Rappoosal in Pudukkottai district on Sunday. As many as 168 bulls, most of them brought from different parts of Tiruchy district, participated in the event. Locals said that a temporary ‘vadivasal’ (narrow passage through which bulls squeeze into the arena) was arranged and more than 100 youth participated in the event while around 250 onlookers were present to cheer the participants. The bulls which came out in rapid pace one after another, gored two men who tried to hold their hump and ride along. 

The deceased have been identified as S Mohan (30), a resident of Lakshmananpatti near Keeranur who sustained injuries in his low hip and G Raja (35) of Odukkur near Annavasal who sustained severe injuries in his left chest. Both the victims were rushed to the Iluppur GH. While Mohan died on the way to hospital, Raja was referred to Pudukkottai GH where he was pronounced ‘brought dead’. Besides the deceased, as many as 27 persons sustained serious injuries. Among them, the condition of Chelladurai (18) and Mariappan (50) are said to be critical. Meanwhile, local youth were critical of the Health Minister organising the event without ensuring proper arrangements.

Jallikattu bill to be moved in brief Assembly session on January 23

The jallikattu issue is likely to dominate the Tamil Nadu Assembly session beginning on Monday with the AIADMK government set to move a bill to replace the ordinance for the conduct of the bull taming sport and amend the PCA Act.

The session, likely to be brief, is being held at a crucial juncture with the state witnessing raging protests over conducting jallikattu in the state. The Assembly is meeting for the first time following the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016. Being the first session of the year, it would open with the customary Governor’s address. 

The O Panneerselvam-led AIADMK government is all set to move the bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, with the main Opposition DMK and its allies Congress and IUML, expected to lend their support. The bill would replace the ordinance, promulgated on Saturday by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao for conducting the bull taming sport after a three-year-long ban. 

Though it has a window of six months to replace the ordinance, the government has made it clear that the bill would be moved during this session itself. The protesters have dubbed the ordinance as a temporary measure and sought a ‘permanent solution’ for the conduct of jallikattu.