Modi ducks jallikattu

Responding to TN call, PM says matter pending in court

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday washed his hands off on the issue of bringing an ordinance to revoke the ban on jallikattu, saying the case was pending in Supreme Court. But he said the Centre would be supportive of the steps taken by the Tamil Nadu Government.

Meeting in the backdrop of a charged-up atmosphere in Tamil Nadu, rocked by protests in favour of conduct of jallikattu, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is believed to have conveyed to Mr Modi the “deep anguish” of the people of the state, as the sport was not held for the third consecutive year.

While “appreciating the cultural significance” of jallikattu, Mr Modi told the Chief Minister that the matter was present sub judice. But the Prime Minister said, “The Centre would be supportive of the steps taken by the state government.”

The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on December 7 last year on a batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s 2016 notification allowing the sport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday washed his hands off on the issue of bringing an ordinance to revoke the ban on jallikattu, saying the case was pending in Supreme Court. But he said the Centre would be supportive of the steps taken by the Tamil Nadu Government. The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on December 7 last year on a batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s 2016 notification allowing the sport. Briefing reporters about his meeting with Modi, the Chief Minister, O Panneerselvam, said his government will soon take steps for holding jallikattu with the backing of the Centre. “We will soon take steps with the backing of the Centre for the holding of the sport,” the CM said.