The Congress party has urged the Central government to find an amicable solution to end the massive demonstrations in Tamil Nadu against the Supreme Court’s order to ban Jallikattu, the controversial bull-taming sport celebrated around the festival of Pongal every year.
Reacting to the ban, the party on Thursday said that it was a part of Tamil Nadu's intrinsic tradition and people of the state have full right to preserve their traditions.
"People of Tamil Nadu have a right to preserve their culture and tradition which is intrinsic to the lifestyle and time honoured practice of Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu is a part of that intrinsic tradition," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
"A mechanism has already been put in place statutorily and administratively also to ensure that no cruelty of any nature takes place. Therefore it is time that the centre and Tamil Nadu government take into consideration the peaceful and dignified protest of people of Tamil Nadu particularly the youth and farmers," he added.
On Thursday Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi and urged him to promulgate an ordinance to allow the conduct of sport.
While the Prime Minister assured support to the state government's steps, he skirted the main demand citing the matter as sub-judice.
The Congress also said that its modalities, sensitivities and mannerism will need to be worked out by the centre and state government.
"We really appreciate the dignified and peaceful manner in which people have put forward their viewpoint bereft of any violence and bereft of any sectional hatred. So, it is time that both the governments took stock of the situation, respect the sentiment of people of Tamil Nadu on Jallikattu and found an amicable solution," Surjewala said.
The ongoing massive protests in support of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu looks set to intensify with train blockades, worker strikes and continuing student protests state wide.
