Congress respects rights of ppl of Tamil Nadu to preserve the culture and protect rich tradition of #jallikattu :RS Surjewala,Congress pic.twitter.com/jwWot3L2fR



— ANI (@ANI_news) January 19, 2017

2014 Supreme Court ban

It is responsibility of Centre and state to respect sentiments & strike a balance on safety and safeguard: RS Surjewala,Congress #jallikattu



— ANI (@ANI_news) January 19, 2017

NEW DELHI: In the span of less than a year, the Congress party has changed its stance on jallikattu - in May last year it wanted the bull-taming sport banned but today it doesn't want it banned.As protests by pro-jallikattu activists intensify across Tamil Nadu , the Congress today said Tamilians have a right to preserve their culture and the sport is part of that culture, ANI reported.However, in its manifesto for Tamil Nadu's Assembly polls last May, the Congress said it supported theon the sport that some believe is cruel to bulls.Now, the Congress is conveniently blaming the Centre and the AIADMK state government for its alleged scant regard for people's sentiments.In this regard, the Congress is joined by the opposition DMK. The latter believes the saffron BJP is trying to 'brahminise' Tamil Nadu by not allowing jallikattu, even though the decision to ban it was taken by the Supreme Court in May 2014.In fact, last year on January 7, the BJP-led Centre revoked the ban on Jallikattu via a notification."The mother of problem is the Congress-led UPA government which included bulls in performing list in 2011", said Union environment minister Anil Madhav Dave. He was referring to a July 2011 notification which listed all the animals that can't be used to provide entertainment or 'perform' and bulls were on that list.Earlier today, Tamil Nadu's chief minister O Panneerselvam met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the case which is currently in the Supreme Court. Modi assured him that he respects the cultural value of Tamil Nadu, but added that as the matter was still court he was awaiting a final order."PM Modi said he gives highest importance to cultural values of the state. He assured he will extend full support to us. Gave letter to PM saying that ban on jallikattu must be lifted and Centre should draft an ordinance on it," said Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam after the meeting with the PM.Protesters in Tamil Nadu expected the meeting to have a more positive outcome. As that didn't happen, protests in the state have now intensified.