The Hindu : Front Page : State seeks modification to interim order on jallikattu

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Monday, Jan 14, 2008
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State seeks modification to interim order on jallikattu

J. Venkatesan

Application to be heard on Tuesday
Claims all-round support for holding jallikattu

New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday moved an urgent application in the Supreme Court seeking a modification to the Friday’s interim order refusing to allow the jallikattu (bull fight) festival in Alanganallur and other places in Tamil Nadu during Pongal holidays. The court had only permitted the rekhla (bullock cart) race.

The application will be heard on Tuesday.

Following widespread resentment from the people to the apex court’s order, the State government deputed senior officials to Delhi on Sunday to assist lawyers in finalising the review application. There was a flurry of activity at the Tamil Nadu House with the officials holding discussions with senior lawyers on the nature of application to be filed and the relief to be sought.

Initially it was suggested that a petition could be filed seeking review of the order. Review petitions are heard in the judge’s chamber after they are circulated among the judges concerned and are not normally heard in the open court.

In view of this, it was decided to file an application for a modification of the order and to allow holding of jallikattu with the supervision of the district administration and the police.

Since the Supreme Court is closed on Monday on account of Lohri festival, it was decided to move the application on Sunday itself.

State counsel V.G. Pragasam submitted the application in the evening before the Vacation Registrar at the residence.

In its application, the State expressed apprehension that the enforcement of the apex court’s interim order refusing permission for jallikattu might result in law and order problem in several parts of Tamil Nadu. Since there was all-round support for holding jallikattu, the court should vacate the interim stay and allow the festival to go on as scheduled at Alanganallur and other villages, it said.

In July 2007, the apex court acting on a petition from the Animal Welfare Board had stayed a Madras High Court judgment allowing the event. On Friday, the court rejected applications filed by the Tamil Nadu government and on behalf of certain villages pleading for vacating the stay.

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