Plea to allow jallikattu at Nehru stadium

When the plea moved by Tamilanin Parampariya Veerajallikattu Association president C Seemaisamy came up before summer vacation Judge, on Thursday, Justice K Kalyanasundaram, the Additional Government Pleader (AGP) P Sanjay Gandhi, opposed it vehemently.

He contended that the government is not against holding jallikattu, but is only concerned about the choice of the place, where the petitioner wants the event to be held. He noted that the Nehru Stadium has been built to international sporting standards and holding a bullfight out there would end up ruining the stadium. 

However, Justice Kalyanasundaram on directing the AGP to get instructions from the government on the plea also directed the petitioners to submit a fresh representation to the authorities by mentioning the exact date, when they plan to hold the event. The judge then posted the case for further hearing to June 2, 2017.

The petitioner had contended that in a bid to develop and create awareness regarding the importance of jallikattu among public, a representation was made to the Tamil Nadu State Sports Development Authority expressing their intention to conduct the valour sport at Nehru Stadium in the month of May. Since, there was no response, another representation through registered post was sent on April 13, agreeing to strictly adhere to rules and regulations governing the stadium and make the required payment. He also noted that the representation included the assurance of rectifying any damages that is caused to the ground. 

As there was no response from the authorities for the representations, the association had no choice but to approach the court. Moreover, the Sports Development Authority of the state being a public body is duty bound to act on their representation and that they can’t keep the matter pending, the plea added. 

Meanwhile, another vacation Judge granted bail and anticipatory bail to more than fifty persons, against whom the police had registered cases in various stations during the jallikattu protests that rocked the state in January this year.