Jaya thanks PM for notification allowing Jallikattu

Hours after the Centre issued a notification, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his ‘prompt response’ to her government’s appeal, seeking a nod for conducting bull-taming sport Jallikattu.

“I am very grateful to you for your prompt response in the matter, which has enabled the conduct of Jallikattu,” she said in a letter to him.

She said the sport “upholds traditional cultural values and traditions of Tamil Nadu and has great historical significance and also ensures the conservation of native germ plasm and continuance of traditional breeds of indigenous cattle”.

The CM said she was happy to learn about the Environment Ministry’s notification which came on Thursday, “paving way for the conduct of Jallikattu in different parts of Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal festivities”. “You would recall that I have consistently taken up this issue with you. Several rounds of discussions were held by the officials of Tamil Nadu with the officials of the Union Ministry of Environment,” she said.

“I had reiterated the Government of Tamil Nadu’s requests to legally pave the way for conducting Jallikattu in my memorandum presented to you on August 7, 2015,” the Chief Minister added.

She had also written to the PM on December 22, 2015, requesting him to arrange for the issuance of an ordinance, if need be, to enable the holding of the sport. She said she has instructed the Chief Secretary to send a circular to District Collectors based on the Centre’s notification allowing Jallikattu.

The Apex Court banned Jalikattu in May last year. Jayalalithaa said due to her ‘continual persuasion,’ the Environment Ministry issued a notification facilitating Jallikattu. “Due to the notification, there is no ban on conducting Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and people can celebrate Pongal with joy. I thank PM Narendra Modi for paving the way for holding Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu,” she said.

She blamed the UPA government for its 2011 notification bringing bulls in the list that cannot be exhibited or treated as a performing animal.