Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday assured the protesters that ‘there are full chances that Jallikattu will be organised within 1-2 days’ . (PTI image)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday assured the protesters that ‘there are full chances that Jallikattu will be organised within 1-2 days’ even as agitation against the ban on the popular bull-taming sport intensified across the state. Urging protesters to ‘withdraw their protest immediately’, Panneerselvam said his government sent draft of amendment to Ministry of Home Affairs this morning. “I believe draft would be approved in 1-2 days which will pave way for Jallikattu,” the CM said. He also said the government had detailed discussion with constitutional experts regarding amendments to be enacted on Jallikattu law by the state. “To take up the draft of the amendment further with the Union Govt, I have deputed senior officials of the state to work with Centre,” Panneerselvam said.

The Chief Minister had earlier said that all possible legal means would be explored to ensure justice for the state on the issue even as he maintained that it should not be construed that the Centre was “ignoring” the state on the matter.

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We urge protesters to withdraw their protest immediately: Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam #MakkalMovement pic.twitter.com/gJm0xvmbt3 — TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 20, 2017

After discussions with PM Modi and consultations with legal experts, CM Panneerselvam announced this morning that the state government will amend a Central act on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to allow conduct of Jallikattu in the state with Centre’s backing and urged protestors across the state to withdraw their agitation following the likelihood of the bull taming sport to be held in a “day or two.”

“I stayed back in Delhi yesterday and discussed with legal experts and senior government officials the matter of making amendments to Centre’s animal cruelty prevention act (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960) at the state level. On the basis of that it was decided to bring an amendment to the Act at the state level,” he told reporters here.

“It was also decided to issue an ordinance to make this amendment. Under the Constitution of India, this draft ordinance has to be sent to Union Home Ministry and on Centre’s recommendation it has to be sent to the President for his approval,” he said. After securing a Presidential order, Tamil Nadu Governor can issue an ordinance on the matter, he said, adding, he had asked his senior officials to liaison with their Central government counterparts on the matter by staying put in Delhi.

O. Panneerselvam also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday to talk about the current situation of Tamil Nadu and also about the ban on their traditional sport, Jallikattu. Tamil CM submitted a memorandum to the PM addressing all the problems that the state is facing at the moment. In response to the TN chief minister’s plea, the Prime Minister’s Office twitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has observed and appreciated the cultural significance of Jallikattu and also said that the matter is presently sub-judice, the Centre would be supportive of steps taken by the State Government. While addressing the other issues, the PM has assured CM Paneerselvam that all possible assistance would be provided to the State of Tamil Nadu to address the drought situation for which a team a central team would be deputed to Tamil Nadu shortly.

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Paneerselvam in an interview with ANI, “The case in SC is being heard, and the verdict is not pronounced yet. PM Modi said he gives highest importance to cultural values of the state. He assured he will extend full support to us. I gave letter to PM saying that ban on ‘jallikattu’ must be lifted and centre should draft on an ordinance on it”.