The credit-game for the promulgation of the ordinance on jallikattu has begun, with AIADMK general secretary Sasikala enumerating all the ways in which she helped bring the ordinance about. She has also asked the students and youngsters protesting for jallikattu to call off their agitation and resume their studies.
“I made the AIADMK-led government fight for this cause,” Sasikala said, in a statement she issued on Saturday.
“I sent the MPs of AIADMK to meet the Indian Prime Minister and Home Minister in person, tell them about the brave traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, and request them to permit the conduct of jallikattu in the state,” she added.
Sasikala has also taken credit for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s trip to Delhi and talks with the Prime Minister. “I asked the Chief Minister to meet the Prime Minister to talk about the issue, and consult him on all the available legal measures through which jallikattu could be conducted this year,” she said.
She has also thanked the Prime Minister and the central government for ‘working hand in hand’ with the state government to help bring in this ordinance.
Like Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Sasikala has also listed out the work done by the AIADMK government over the years, which, she claims, has resulted in this ordinance.
While she thanked the people of Tamil Nadu for their exemplary behaviour, she has also asked youngsters and students to call off the protests for jallikattu across the state.
“I am proud to see that Tamil Nadu has set an example for the rest of the country through the peaceful protests for jallikattu, held without any untoward incidents,” she said, adding, “I ask the students and youngsters to realise their responsibilities with respect to their studies and other duties, and to immediately give up the protest.”
Whether the protesters are willing to call of their agitation - because of or despite Sasikala’s request - remains to be seen.