The MDMK founder calls on governor Vidyasagar Rao and requests him to convey Tamil sentiments on the issue to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tamil Nadu regional political parties have not given up on Jallikattu even after Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding its earlier ban on the ancient bull taming sport.

On Friday it was the turn of MDMK chief Vaiko to call on governor and urge him to take up the matter of allowing Jallikattu sport during harvesting festival of Pongal next month. He called on governor Vidyasagar Rao and requested him to explain to the prime minister Narendra Modi that the sport, coming down from thousands of years, was part and parcel of Tamil culture and that people were emotionally attached to it.

“The centre should bring suitable legal amendments to facilitate the conduct of Jallikattu next month,” Vaiko told press persons after meeting the governor

Speaking to reporters after meeting Rao, Vaiko said, he had urged the Governor to convey to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that jallikattu was an integral part of the Tamil culture for thousands of years and that the Centre should bring in appropriate legal amendments for its conduct next month.

In an emotional outburst against the court ruling, Vaiko said that those sitting in Delhi should appreciate the sentiments of the Tamil people. The argument against Jallukattu is made on the basis of cruelty to animals and death of bulls.

But to ban Jallikattu because of few accidents, is not appropriate the MDMK founder said questioning of one would ban driving if there is an accident resulting in death of an animal?

When on the cruelty to animal argument, Vaiko said that by this token even killing of goats for meat should be banned.

The governor, Vaiko said, was cordial and appreciated the sentiments expressed on behalf of the Tamil people. Vaiko said he hoped that the message would be conveyed to the PM and that the centre would take appropriate steps to allow Jallikattu.