Live: TN CM to Inaugurate Jallikattu at 10 AM on Sunday
AIADMK MPs will meet Rajnath Singh today around 12:30 pm, seeking Centre’s help to allow conduct of Jallikattu.
- Protests against Jallikattu ban continue for the fifth day in Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu Governor clears Jallikattu ordinance.
- Law Minister passes the ordinance with minor changes.
- Panneerselvam says Jallikattu likely to be organised within 2 days.
Special Train From Madurai to Chennai
A special train from Chennai to Madurai will run tonight for tomorrow's Jallikattu event. The train will leave from Chennai Egmore at 11:45 pm.
SC Judgement Still Pending: PETA
OPS to Inaugurate Jallikattu at 10 AM on Sunday
AIADMK, on their Twitter handle, said Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate Jallikattu at 10 am tomorrow.
Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao promulgated the ordinance lifting the ban on Jallikattu.
Yesterday, the Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow Jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests that have paralysed the state for last five days.
AIADMK Leaders Look Positive After Meeting With Prez
AIADMK MPs leave President's House after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee over Jallikattu ordinance issue. Speaking to the media, M Thambidurai said:
President Mukherjee to Give Assent Today
President Pranab Mukherjee is expected to given his assent to the ordinance that was cleared by the Law Ministry on Friday. AIADMK MPs gathered at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to discuss the ordinance with the president.
Meanwhile, people continued to gather in throngs at Marina Beach demanding a permanent solution. However, the state appears to be getting back to some normalcy, with a few shops being re-opened, and vehicles being spotted on the roads.
Six trains were cancelled and five rescheduled due to the ongoing pro-Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu.
DMK to Stage Hunger Protest
The pro-jallikattu protests continued for the fifth day on Saturday across Tamil Nadu with the youth and students continuing to stay put at the venues, including the Marina, the epicentre of the statewide stir.
The entire area in and around Marina was abuzz with hordes of men, women and children shouting slogans, seeking nod for the bull-taming sport.
Jallikattu supporters also staged rail blockade at Madurai even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir.
The Southern Railway announced cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others.
DMK led by MK Stalin will be staging a hunger protest between 8 am to 5 pm, media reports said.
Jallikattu Will Happen for Sure: PM Modi
On his return from Delhi, CM O Panneerselvam said that Jallikattu will happen for sure within a day or two and urged the Tamil youth and activists to call off the protest.
Centre Committed Towards TN: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express the Centre’s position on the Jallikattu ban. He said that the government respects Tamil culture and making every effort to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Certain Miscreants Have Distorted Jallikattu: BJP
BJP General Secretary Muralidhar Rao said the order passed by the Supreme Court banning Jallikattu was "unfortunate to say the least".
In a statement, he said the deep emotional connect that people have with the sport as well as the scientific reasoning behind it were "overlooked".
He said Jallikattu never had violence at its core adding that the actual sport involves only hugging the hump of bull for 60 seconds and the participants make sure the animals are not harmed in any way.
"It is only recently that certain miscreants have distorted the age-old sport for their vested interests. The goal should be to keep a check on such malpractices and not to bring about a blanket ban on the entire sport," he said.
HM Gives Nod to Ordinance
The Home Ministry gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu government’s ordinance on Jallikattu.
Law Ministry Passes Ordinance But Protesters Seek Permanent Solution
Law, Environment and Cultural Ministries approved Tamil Nadu’s ordinance allowing Jallikattu, with minor changes. It has been sent to President Mukherjee for his assent.
However, according to media reports, the protest will not be called off until the doors that let the bull into the arena isn’t opened. India Today quoted one protester as saying:
Yet celebrations are in order...
As a symbol of protest, the people of Chennai turned on their cellphone flashlights to protest against the Jallikattu ban.
AR Rahman Breaks His Fast
Watch music maestro AR Rahman break his fast against Jallikattu ban:
He was one of the celebrities who voiced their protests against the ban.
PETA Doesn't Make the Law: PETA India Chief
Speaking to the CNN News 18 on the Supreme Court’s ban on Jallikattu, Peta India’s Chief, Poorva Joshipura said although PETA is being made a spacegoat, it is the then UPA government that enacted the law, while maintaining that her organisation is only doing their duty of protecting animals.
Recounting the Jallikattu festivals of past years, Joshipura said over 5000 people were left severely injured and 40 others had died. She said that the the animal welfare organisation were seeking legal advice on how to proceed should the ban gets repealed.
Centre and TN Govt Will Hopefully Find Resolution in 48 Hours: AG
While assuring that Jallikattu is not an event which causes any physical harm to the bull, speaking to the media AG Mukul Rohatgi said:
Watch an Jallikattu protester walking towards Marina beach in the video below:
Will Inaugurate Jallikattu Event: Panneerselvam
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has announced that the notification of the ordinance in support of Jallikattu is expected on Sunday and the event will happen.
When asked if he will inaugurate the Jallikattu event, the chief minister replied with an affirmative. “Your wish will be fulfilled,” he said.
As the protests intensified, most of Tamil Nadu remained shut.
Teen Electrocuted in 'Rail Roko' Protest
Over the past four days, Tamil Nadu has witnessed unprecedented protest in favour of Jallikattu, but what has stood out is their peaceful nature. However, breaking that trend in an unfortunate accident, a 16-year-old boy was injured on Thursday, after being electrocuted in a ‘rail roko’ protest at Salem.
As per a Facebook post by Piyush Manush, an entrepreneur and activist, Lokesh fell from atop a train he was protesting on.
On Friday morning, Manush posted another set of photos, which showed unrelenting protesters climbing on trains in large numbers and creating a blockade in the surrounding areas.
Not only had the train been blocked for over 20 hours by this point, but Piyush also wrote that the authorities had not taken appropriate steps to mitigate the situation.
Will Resolve Issue in Shortest Time: MoS Anil Dave
Minister of State Environment and Forest Anil Dave addresses the media over the Jallikattu row. He said that the Home Ministry received the proposal for the ordinance from the Tamil Nadu government and its under consideration.
Pinning the blame on the UPA government, he added that if they hadn’t added bull in the list of performing animals in 2011, “we wouldn't have been sitting here.”
Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan Join Artistes' Protest Against Jallikattu Ban
Superstar Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have joined the South India Artistes’ Association, Nadigar Sangam’s protest. The artistes’ association is conducting a silent protest in solidarity with the ongoing Jallikattu issue in Chennai. Actors Dhanush, Ajith, Trisha, Suriya have lent their support as well.
Mahesh Babu and Pawan Kalyan have also backed the stir.
AIADMK MPs Meet Rajnath Singh
To discuss the issue, AIADMK MPs meet Rajnath Singh at the Home Ministry. They urged the Centre to pave way for passing the ordinance in support of Jallikattu,
The MPs said they will meet President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow at 2 pm to ask for his approval.
Dhanush Lashes Out Against PETA
Tamil film star Dhanush has lashed out at PETA as the organisation faces pro-jallikattu protesters' ire for opposing the bull taming sport.
The actor on Thursday said he was not part of the animal rights advocacy group and described as an "insult" an award given to him by the NGO a few years ago.
He urged the Centre to remove bulls from the 'performing animals' category and thus ensure jallikattu was held in the state.
SC Defers Judgement on Jallikattu by a Week
The Supreme Court has agreed to postpone its order on Jallikattu by a week on the Centre’s request after the Attorney General informs the court about the efforts being taken with the Tamil Nadu government to resolve the issue.
He told the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar that the Centre is holding talks with the state government.
South Indian Artistes Go Silent to Support Jallikattu
Inspired by the youth driven protests in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, the South India Artistes’ Association, Nadigar Sangam is conducting a silent protest in solidarity with the ongoing Jallikattu issue.
The protest has seen a steady stream of stars pouring in since morning. So far, Nadigar Sangam President Nasser, Suriya, Ajit along with wife Shalini, Prasanna, Kovai Sarala, Arun Vijay and Trisha among others have been spotted.
Ahead of the protest, Nasser had uploaded a video appeal urging the media to not cover the film fraternity’s protest and to focus on the movement started by students, youth, and ordinary people from across society.
Nasser’s appeal comes after #SayNoToNadigarSangam was trending on Twitter on Thursday. The popular sentiment appears to be that celebrities should not hijack the movement and take away its focus.
Stalin Released as DMK Requests State for an All-Party Meet
DMK leader MK Stalin has been released from preventive custody soon after he was detained for halting a train in protest of Jallikattu ban.
While MP Kanimozhi says that the working president has requested the state government for an all-party meeting on the issue. The party is demanding the enactment of an emergency law for Jallikattu.
DMK's Stalin Detained for 'Rail Roko' Protest
DMK working president MK Stalin has been taken into preventive custody for halting a train as protest in support of Jallikattu.
DMK leader and MP Kanimozhi led the party’s 'Rail Roko' protest at Chennai Egmore railway station. The party workers broke barricades and halted a train.
Owaisi Opposes Ban, Links UCC to Jallikattu
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi tweets in support of Jallikattu and lashes out against the government, saying it’s a “lesson for Hindutva forces that Uniform Civil Code cannot be imposed.”
Crowd Continues to Throng Marina Beach to Protest
The protest against the Jallikattu ban has been on for over 70 hours in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu.
DMK Protesters Clash With Police
DMK workers have taken to the streets in Chennai protesting in support of the sport, while the massive protest at Marina Beach grows stronger. DMK working president MK Stalin and Kanimozhi joined the protest with party workers in Mambalam.
The party’s protest takes an ugly turn as the workers break barricading and clash with the police.
BJP leaders Pon Radhakrishnan, Thamizhisai Soundarrajan alongwith TN Jallikattu association office bearers are to meet Minister of State Environment and Forest Anil Dave today.
State Says Draft Ordinance Ready, Urges People to Withdraw Protest
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam speaks to reporters, he says they had a detailed discussion with constitutional experts regarding amendments to be enacted on Jalikattu law by the state. He further urges the people to withdraw their protest immediately.
He adds that the state government had sent a draft of amendments to the Home Ministry this morning. “I believe draft would be approved in 1-2 days, which will pave way for Jalikattu,” he says.
AIADMK MPs will meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today around 12:30 pm, seeking the Centre's help to allow conduct of jallikattu.
Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday with the latter saying the matter was sub judice while assuring that the Centre would back the state in its efforts to hold the sport.
As protests swelled on the streets of Tamil Nadu, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi on Thursday said the state government has the power to enact a law to treat Jallikattu as a traditional sport, but cautioned that the animals should not be harmed or cruelly treated during such events.
Protests Set to Intensify; AR Rahman to Fast
The ongoing massive protests in support of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu is all set to intensify with train blockades, worker strikes and continuing student protests statewide.
Chennai will almost be shut down on Friday. Besides the capital, other parts of the state will also see massive protests.
Music maestro AR Rahman announced on Twitter on Thursday that he would be fasting on Friday in support of the “spirit of Tamil Nadu.”
Several thousand youth gathered to protest at Chennai's Marina beach, have witnessed a swelling of support, as more people are expected to arrive.
Associations representing truckers, retailers, private taxi operators, schools, have announced that they will not work on Friday. Auto unions have also joined the shutdown.
(With inputs from The News Minute and ANI)
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