Cops clamp Sec 144 to prevent Jallikattu

The Tamil Nadu Police on Friday imposed Section 144 in several districts to prevent the illegal conduct of Jallikattu during Pongal.

Protests erupted across the state, condemning the Centre for not taking steps to enable the smooth conduct of the bull-taming sport.

Referring to Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s assertion on Thursday that Jallikattu would be held this year, the agitators, including DMK working president M K Stalin, sought a clarification from him.

Apart from political parties, students have been at the forefront in staging protests across the state by organising rallies, hunger strikes and blocking roads. Thousands of youngsters and Jallikattu fans organised a huge human chain near Marina Beach here.

Defying the apex court ban, supporters organised Jallikattu in Trichy and Madurai districts, saying they were ready to go to jail for doing so. In Madurai district alone, about 50 bulls and several hundred tamers participated in the event.

Police said about 50 Jallikattu organisers were arrested for conducting the sport at various places in Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur and Tirunelveli districts, among others, besides taking into custody several bull tamers.

Activists write to Prez, PM

Animal rights activists have written to the president, prime minister and environment minister against promulgating an ordinance allowing the bull-taming event.  

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals India and Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation have said Jallikattu is illegal according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the 2011 ban of the environment ministry to use bulls for
performances.