Jallikattu: AIADMK MPs to knock the door of President tomorrow

Leaving no stone unturned to lift the Supreme Court levied ban on the bull-taming sport of Jallikattu, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MPs will meet President Pranab Mukherjee to seek his intervention in the matter.

The AIADMK MPs are scheduled to meet the President at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, urged him to promulgate an ordinance to lift the ban on bull taming sport Jallikattu.

"I gave a letter to the PM saying that ban on Jallikattu must be lifted and Centre should draft an ordinance on it," Panneerselvam told the media after meeting the Prime Minister.

Panneerselvam said Prime Minister Modi told him that he gives highest importance to cultural values of the state and assured the Centre's full support.

The Prime Minister on his part appreciated the cultural significance of Jallikattu and observed that the matter is presently sub-judice.

He, however, assured Paneerselvam that the Centre would be supportive of steps taken by the state government.

The Supreme Court had banned Jallikattu, which is held during the harvest festival of Pongal, in 2014 on a petition by animal rights activists.

Jallikattu hadn't been held for the last two years and was not held this year on Pongal despite multiple appeals from Tamil Nadu to the Centre to issue the ordinance.