JOIN USTwo persons were killed and many injured during Jallikattu held on Sunday in the shadow of widespread protests, even as an ordinance failed to end the six-day agitation.
Chief Minister O Panneerselvam was forced to make a retreat without inaugurating the main event at Alanganallur in Madurai, following a demand for a permanent resolution.
The traditional sport, which was banned by the Supreme Court, was organised in several parts of the state, including Rapoosal in Pudukottai district, following promulgation of the ordinance on Saturday.
Police said the two participants, who were gored by a bull during the event at Rapoosal, died on the way to hospital. As many as 28 people have been wounded, officials said.
Protesters at Alanganallur, however, refused to conduct the sport, steadfast in their demand for a permanent solution to ensure unhindered annual conduct of the sport.
Panneerselvam, who had announced that he would inaugurate Jallikattu at Alanganallur, had to stay back in a hotel in Madurai following the stir there.
Groups of agitators continued their protests at several locations across the state.
At the Marina Beach in Chennai, the epicentre of the stir for the past six days, protesters continued to stay put, demanding a permanent solution for holding the sport, besides a ban on animal rights group PETA.
Speaking to reporters at Madurai, Panneerselvam said, “The ban on Jallikattu has been removed completely, the sport will be held at Alanganallur, on a date decided by the local people.”
He said Jallikattu was held in all parts of Tamil Nadu with the local administration and police taking all stipulated measures.
With protesters raising slogans that an ordinance was only a temporary measure, Panneerselvam said, “The state’s Jallikattu ordinance route is permanent, robust and sustainable, will be made into a law in the coming Assembly session.”
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, anticipating challenge to its ordinance allowing Jallikattu to be held in the state.
As the Republic Day parade will be held at the same location off Marina Beach, officials are trying to persuade the protesters to call off the agitation.