Protestors urge Centre to promulgate ordinance revoking ban on Jallikattu

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Jan. 8 (ANI): The call for revocation of ban on Jallikattu intensified as the protestors took to the streets in Chennai on Sunday demanding that the ban on the bull taming sport be lifted at the earliest. The protestors asked the Central Government to promulgate an ordinance so that the ancient sport is played again. More than 5000 people gathered at Marina beach for a rally demanding Jallikattu to be conducted this year. The protestors raised slogans against PETA and demanded government to act on their demands. "We don't do anything to make the bull aggressive, it is their nature," one of the protestors told ANI. He said that the Tamil Nadu Government should place an application to the Centre to pass an ordinance to conduct jallikattu. Earlier in May 2014, the Supreme Court had banned the practice of Jallikattu, citing animal welfare issues. The government later on January 8, 2016, passed an order exempting Jallikattu from all performances where bulls cannot be used, effectively reversing the ban. The Supreme Court, however, in January last year refused to re-examine its 2014 judgement banning use of bulls for Jallikattu events or bullock-cart races across the country. Jallikattu, also known Eruthazhuvuthal, is a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of the Pongal harvest festival. (ANI)