Modi refuses to alter SC Jallikattu ban; TN protesters up ante

The Jallikattu storm refused to die down on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually indicated his government's inability to promulgate an ordinance on allowing Jallikattu noting that the matter is sub-judice as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met him here seeking Centre's intervention.

"While appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is at present sub-judice," the PMO said after the meeting. At the same time, it said, "The Centre would be supportive of the steps taken by the state government."

As protests demanding the lifting of the ban on bull taming sport Jallikattu spread across Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister rushed here on Wednesday night to meet the Prime Minister with a request for ordinance. With regard to the drought situation in Tamil Nadu, Modi assured Paneerselvam that all possible assistance would be provided to the state. A central team would be deputed to Tamil Nadu shortly to assess the drought situation, the PMO said.

Tamil Nadu government will soon take steps for holding banned Jallikattu event with the backing of the Centre, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said on Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi who expressed government's inability to promulgate an ordinance on the issue.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister decided to stay put in the capital for the next few days and consult legal eagles over the next recourse.

"We will soon take steps with the backing of the Centre for the holding of the sport. You will soon see (the steps).

All is well that ends well. Wait, good will happen," he told reporters after the meeting with Modi during which he urged the Central government to issue an ordinance to enable the sport to be conducted.

However, the Supreme Court on Thursday preferred to stay away from the pro-Jallikattu protests across Tamil Nadu and said the issue of protecting the agitating supporters of the bull-taming sport can be raised before the Madras High Court.

"Let the Madras High Court deal with it. You (petitioner) go there. Why do you come all the way to Supreme Court," a bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud told a petitioner advocate who mentioned his plea seeking protection to the protestors who have assembled in large numbers at the Marina beach in Chennai on the third day.