On Monday, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill, 2017, replacing the ordinance promulgated by the Governor on Saturday.
The Bill was tabled by CM O Panneerselvam, and was passed unanimously at the special session of the Assembly. It was welcomed by Leader of Opposition and DMK’s working President MK Stalin, and the Congress party.
The law passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly amends six sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and exempts jallikattu from the purview of penalty under rules for the list of performing animals.
This basically means that if the bull is used for the purpose of jallikattu, as per the state government’s rules, organisers and participants will not be punished.
The newly passed law amends the PCA Act stating that jallikattu plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the culture and tradition in large parts of the state of Tamil Nadu. Additionally, the law says, jallikattu is vital for the “survival and continuance” of native breeds of bulls.
Any ordinance must be replaced by a law passed in the Assembly or Parliament, according to the rules. This Act has now replaced the jallikattu ordinance promulgated by the Governor on Saturday.
Earlier on Monday, the jallikattu protests turned violent in several parts of the state including the epicentre of the protests at Chennai’s Marina beach.
Schools declared holidays in some parts of the city after protesters clashed with police. There were incidents of stone pelting and police crackdown. Vehicles outside the Ice House police station were also set on fire by unidentified persons.
Actors Rajinikanth and actor Kamal Hassan urged protesters to maintain calm.
There were incidents of vandalism and lathicharge by police in Madurai’s Alanganallur, Coimbatore and Erode too. Protests were however called off in most parts after talks between locals and the administration.