Seeking an end to the impasse, TN chief minister O Panneerselvam announced in New Delhi on Thursday that the state government was ready with an ordinance that will allow the sport of jallikattu.
Talking to the media, OPS said, “A draft ordinance is ready. The draft has been sent to the home ministry. We are exploring all legal options. We will bring the ordinance on jallikattu and I request all the protestors to now call off the protest.”
The CM also said that the central government was helping the state and that the ordinance was made in consultation with the Centre.
Sources told The News Minute that the Tamil Nadu government has put considerable pressure on the Centre to make the home ministry expedite the process. According to procedure, the ordinance once vetted by the Home Ministry, will be sent to the President of India. After the President sanctions, the ordinance will then be sent to the TN governor who will promulgate the ordinance.
The state government’s decision to promulgate an ordinance comes after the Centre showed an unwillingness to do the same. With the Centre’s notification on the list of performing animals being challenged in the Supreme Court, the Centre had received legal advice that it would be inappropriate to promulgate an ordinance.
Yesterday, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had told the media that the only way to end the stalemate was that Tamil Nadu should pass a law.
However, the ordinance may not be a permanent solution as People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) have said that if such an ordinance is passed, they will challenge it in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, protests at the Marina continue unabated with thousands of people, including youth, women and children coming out to express solidarity on the jallikattu issue.
The protests are set to intensify on Friday with Tamil Nadu coming to a virtual standstill on the issue, with train blockades, worker strikes and continuing student protests statewide.