Centre clears Tamil Nadu Ordinance on Jallikattu

The Centre last night cleared an ordinance on Jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu government to promulgate it in an effort to end the protests that have paralysed the state for the last five days. Following up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, the Ministries of Home, Law and Environment vetted the state's draft ordinance and cleared the amendment that will denotify the bull from the list of performing animals. This will ensure that provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act



will not apply to the bull.

A Home Ministry spokesman said, the ordinance has been forwarded to the state government. It has been sent without the need of referring it to the President of India. Tamil Nadu Cabinet is expected to meet this morning to clear the ordinance and recommend it to the Governor Vidyasagar Rao for promulgation. Mr Rao, who is also Governor of Maharashtra, is reaching Chennai this morning.Jallikattu or bull-taming sport, which is an age-old annual event during Pongal, is very popular in Tamil Nadu.