Jallikattu row: DMK holds protest against SC order

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is holding agitations across Tamil Nadu on Friday in protest against the Supreme Court's decision not to pronounce its verdict on popular bull-taming sport Jallikattu before the Pongal festivities.

The state's opposition party has also accused the Centre as well as the AIADMK Government of "not taking appropriate, timely steps" to ensure that the event is conducted.

"What answers are they going to give to the people of Tamil Nadu - especially its youth - now?" asked DMK working president M.K. Stalin yesterday while recalling the assurances made by both Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan on lifting the ban.

Stalin alleged that the AIADMK Government was not giving due importance to the issue.

"The apex court's order was like a bolt from the blue to us. There were orders against Jallikattu in the DMK regime also, but despite that we ensured that Jallikattu is conducted in the state. It was the AIADMK, which floated all regulations on Jallikattu set by the Supreme Court," he added.

An apex court bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R. Banumathi yesterday said that it was "unfair of the petitioner to seek an order" in this regard before Saturday, although a draft of the judgement has already been prepared.

The apex court had reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging a 2016 central notification allowing the sport.

As many as 28 people were arrested in connection with an illegal Jallikattu event held in coastal Cuddalore on Thursday.

The apex court had earlier in 2014banned Jallikattu on grounds of animal cruelty.