CHENNAI -- In an apparent last-ditch effort to get the nod for conducting Jallikattu after the Supreme Court stayed a Central notification, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promulgate an ordinance to facilitate holding the traditional sport.
Recalling that she had requested Modi on 22 December last year to promulgate an ordinance to enable holding Jallikattu, she said, "Considering the urgency of the issue, I strongly reiterate my earlier request to promulgate an Ordinance forthwith to enable the conduct of Jallikattu."
"On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu I urge you to take immediate action in this regard," she said in a letter to the Prime Minister.
Asserting that sentiments of the people should be respected, Jayalalithaa said arrangements have already been made by organisers all over the state for conducting Jallikattu.
After she had requested an ordinance, the Centre issued a notification on 7 January enabling conduct of Jallikattu in different parts of Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal festivities, she said.
"On receipt of the notification, circulars were sent to the District Collectors regarding arrangements to be made for the conduct of Jallikattu, strictly in accordance with the conditions and safeguards indicated in the notification. On this basis, arrangements have been made by organisers all over the state for the conduct of Jallikattu," she said.
As the Supreme Court has now granted an interim stay of the notification, Jallikattu cannot be conducted now, Jayalalithaa said.
"With the Pongal festivities commencing from 14 January, the public in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu have made all arrangements and preparations and are eagerly looking forward to the conduct of Jallikattu as part of the traditional festivities ingrained in the hoary cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu," she said.
"It is very important that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, who have a deep attachment to the conduct of the traditional event of Jallikattu, are respected," the chief minister said while requesting an ordinance to facilitate the conduct of the sport.
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