Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao today gave his assent to an ordinance paving the way for conducting the bull-taming sport Jallikattu. However, those protesting against the ban on Jallikattu are not convinced and have said they will continue with their protest till such time a permanent solution is found.

Following promulgation of the ordinance, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate the sport in Alanganallur in Madurai district, which is known for Jallikattu held coinciding with the harvest festival Pongal. In the other districts in the State, the respective ministers will inaugurate the event.

According to a press release, the ordinance is an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960. The Tamil Nadu Government’s ordinance, which was approved by various Central ministries on Friday, got President Pranab Mukherjee’s assent.

The ordinance follows mass protests on the Marina beach in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, since January 17, demanding revocation of the ban imposed by the Supreme Court. Following the protests, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi last week and sought the Centre’s intervention. The Prime Minister said since the matter was sub judice, the Centre would not be able to do anything but assured the State of the Centre’s support for any action that it would take.

The sport came under the scanner from animal rights activist group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 2006. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court, which banned the sport. In January 2016, the Government of India sought to work around the ban by issuing a notification that allowed jallikattu to be conducted, which was quashed by the apex court.

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