Governor clears ordinance on ‘jallikattu’

Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday evening gave his nod for an ordinance to hold “jallikattu”.

The ordinance is an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. It will be gazetted immediately, a senior official said.

The ordinance has been prepared with a view to ensuring “survival and well-being of the native breed of bulls and preserving cultural traditions of Tamil Nadu,” the official added.

Since the beginning of this week, thousands of people have been protesting across the State, demanding that the ban on “jallikattu” be lifted.

On Thursday, Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought his help to tide over the crisis. Following Mr. Modi’s assurance to Mr. Paneerselvam, the Union Ministries of Culture, Law, Home Affairs and Environment and Forests on Friday cleared the State’s proposal for the ordinance.

The draft ordinance has also received “technically” the nod of the President as the powers of the President have been delegated to Union Home Minister for giving approval on such ordinance, another official in the State government explained.

Officials say that as per the rules of business of the Tamil Nadu government, the Cabinet nod is not required for an ordinance. The approval of the Minister concerned and Chief Minister is sufficient, and in this instance, this formality was completed and only after which the proposal was submitted to the Centre.