The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to lift the ban on jallikattu after an intervention application filed by four persons said to be affected by the apex court's stay of Centre's notification allowing Jallikattu. The court had issued a stay on jallikattu on Tuesday.

The petitioners were represented by advocate N. Rajaraman and argued that "a mortal blow to the religious faith of devotees of Lord Shiva” and asked that the court reconsider since the arrangements for the Jallikattu festivities were over.

On January 7, after several weeks of political pressure in Tamil Nadu, the government has issued an executive order allowing the sport by stating that the event was a tradition of Tamil Nadu and should be exempted.

Pro-jallikattu activists have been saying that the Centre or the State government should issue an ordinance in favour of jallikattu following the SC’s decision.

TN CM Jayalalithaa has also written to Prime Minister Modi asking for an ordinance to be promulgated to allow the sport to be conducted this year.