High Court directive to Theni on jallikattu

Petitioner S Vairamuthu (35), Theni district secretary of Tamil Puligal Katchi, in this petition, had claimed that in Ayyampatti there were around 80 Dalit families and more than 1,000 caste Hindu families. He had received information from the members of the Arunthathiyar community in the village that they were being made victims of untouchability. 

Despite this situation, the village panchayat had decided to conduct jallikattu on February 19. In the past, Arunthathiyars were prohibited from participating in the jallikattu and hence there was an apprehension that this year too Dalits would be prohibited from the event. 

According to the recent amendment of the state government the Collector should ensure the names and other particulars of the participants in the jallikattu and if the district head had completed the process of listing the names of the Dalits, if any, it should be announced. 

He had also submitted a petition in this regard to the Collector and SP, but no action was taken. Hence, the court must issue a writ of mandamus directing the Theni Collector and SP to take steps to include Arunthathiyars in the jallikattu to be held on February 19 and submit the details in the court, prayed the petitioner. 

The PP in his argument had said that a peace meeting has been scheduled on Thursday and it would be ensured that Dalits would be allowed to participate in the jallikattu. 

Accepting this assurance of the PP, the High Court Bench directed the Theni Collector to submit his report by February 17 (Friday), after the completion of peace meeting and adjourned the case.