TN to Promulgate Ordinance to Hold Jallikattu: Panneerselvam 

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Friday said the state government would promulgate an ordinance to conduct Jallikattu, the ancient bull taming sport.

Speaking to reporters here, Panneerselvam said he had detailed discussions with constitutional experts on the matter. The Chief Minister said the state government will amend some provisions in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The amendment was drafted on Thursday and sent to the central government on Friday morning. The ordinance would then be forwarded to President Pranab Mukherjee. After the President's approval, the ordinance would be sent to Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Once the Governor approves it, the ordinance would be promulgated following which Jallikattu can be held in the state.

The Chief Minister has urged the demonstrators to withdraw their protests. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Thursday and urged him to promulgate the ordinance. While Modi assured support to the state government's steps, he skirted the main demand citing the matter as sub-judice.

"The ban imposed on Jallikattu by the Supreme Court came up for discussion. While appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the Prime Minister observed that the matter is presently sub-judice," the Prime Minister's Office said on Thursday. "The Centre would be supportive of steps taken by the state Government," it added.

Meanwhile massive protests across Tamil Nadu in support of Jallikattu, the bull taming sport, intensified on Friday with traders downing their shutters, taxi, auto-rickshaw and truck operators staying off the roads.

The DMK party has announced to hold protests on rail tracks which prompted the Southern Railway to cancel four trains and partial operation of few others.

State government employees have decided to take out a procession while the central government and public sector organisations functioned. The bank unions have extended their support to the protests. The movie industry has cancelled shooting and theatre halls would remain closed on Friday.

In some districts schools were also closed. Thousands of youth sat through Thursday night in Chennai's Marina beach hoping for some good news from Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam who expected to arrive here on Friday from Delhi following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As per available indications the state government is expected to come out with a law allowing conduct of Jallikattu.