Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
In view of tension prevailing ahead of the annual ‘jallikattu’ MADURAI: The Government has strengthened security in south Tamil Nadu in view of the tension ahead of the annual ‘jallikattu’ that forms part of the Pongal festival. With just a week to go for the festival, bull tamers and owners have called for special prayers in temples at Alanganallur and Palamedu near here on Wednesday and Thursday for the sport to continue. Villagers say that failure to hold jallikattu is a bad omen. Asked if the Government would allow the festival to go ahead, a senior official said in Chennai that the Government was taking all efforts to ensure that sentiments of all sections were respected. The official pointed out that last year, the Government ensured that all the stipulations laid down by the High Court were adhered to. This year too, it would follow the directions of the Supreme Court on the issue. Bull owners from Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Perambalur, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Tuticorin and Ramanathapuram have formed ‘Tamizhaga Veeravilayattu Kuzhu.’ The convener of the committee, T. Rajasekaran, said, “We held a meeting last week and decided to take out a procession along with our bulls to the Secretariat in Chennai. However, Madurai Collector and Superintendent of Police requested us to put off our decision until the outcome of the petition pending before the Supreme Court.” D. Regupathy, former president of the Alanganallur town panchayat and one of the organisers of the annual sport, said: “We bring up these bulls like our children. They are fed with the best fodder available and made to sleep on the finest of floors. It is widely believed that preventing the sport would invite the wrath of God and people would suffer from deadly diseases.” Villages which send bulls to the annual ‘jallikattu’ for places like Alanganallur and Palamedu are buzzing with activity amid anxiety. The animals are being trained on open fields and their horns are getting polished, hopeful of a favourable order. Residents of Madurai district have decided to wait for the Supreme Court order and decide on the future course of action if it went against their wish. The All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam held a demonstration at Alanganallur on Monday demanding permission to conduct ‘jallikattu.’ The party plans to organise similar demonstrations in Melur and Palamedu urging the State Government to come out with an ordinance enabling the conduct of ‘jallikattu.’ The Madurai district police are keeping a close watch on the developments in Alangalannur, Palamedu, Melur and adjoining areas where ‘jallikattu’ is held annually. Intelligence sources say tension is brewing in many Madurai villages. “We will implement the order of the Supreme Court” is all what the Inspector General of Police (South Zone), Sanjeev Kumar, would say.
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