Call Of Jallikattu Protests: Venkaiah Naidu Urges

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Jallikattu protesters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to call off their agitation, which was taking a violent turn, as the Tamil Nadu government was taking steps to respect the sentiments of the people.

The TN government passed an ordinance allowing Jallikattu, he pointed out, adding that the Union government supported the ancient sport.

The Union Minister said that both the State and Central governments were sensitive to the cultural beliefs and ethos of Tamil Nadu. There were some problems associated with the ordinance but that was being heard by Supreme Court, he said. While the people in the entire State supported Jallikattu, a few political parties were trying to take advantage and make it their battle arena, he claimed.

While conditional permission was granted to Jallikattu by the previous Congress-led UPA government in 2011, the NDA government led by Narendra Modi amended the notification of 2011 allowing the sport, he said, and appealed the youth of TN to resume their lives.