Chennai, Aug 31 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar has ordered the removal of controversial remarks on jallikattu made by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA, Karuppiah, who represents the Sholavandan Assembly constituency, from the official proceedings of the House.
Karuppiah’s comments, made in the Assembly last Thursday, drew sharp criticism from several political parties, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).
The AIADMK has also announced a protest on September 3, accusing the legislator of insulting jallikattu, which is deeply associated with Tamil culture and traditions.
Responding to the controversy in the Assembly, the Speaker announced that the disputed portion of Karuppiah’s speech would be expunged from the official records.
The decision came amid mounting political pressure and protests from organisations and individuals associated with the traditional sport.
Karuppiah had earlier expressed regret over the manner in which his comments were interpreted. Clarifying his position, the MLA said he had not intended to belittle jallikattu or question its importance as a symbol of Tamil valour.
He explained that his remarks were directed at the practice of conducting the traditional event regularly in a permanent stadium modelled on venues associated with bullfighting in European countries such as Spain.
Karuppiah said organising jallikattu in such a setting could be inconsistent with the cultural character and traditional spirit of the Tamil sport.
The MLA also raised concerns about the impact of frequent jallikattu events on students.
He said that apart from the well-known competitions held at Alanganallur and Palamedu during the Pongal festival, jallikattu events had been organised repeatedly in the region during the previous DMK government’s tenure.
According to Karuppiah, the increasing frequency of such events had encouraged some school and college students to attend the competitions instead of pursuing their studies regularly.
He maintained that his intervention in the Assembly was aimed at guiding young people and urging them to give greater importance to education.
Karuppiah said he wanted students to complete their education, earn degrees and secure a better future. He reiterated that his speech was motivated by concern for the younger generation and not by disrespect towards jallikattu.
However, acknowledging the widespread anger over his remarks, the TVK legislator apologised if his words had hurt the feelings of young people, jallikattu supporters or the wider Tamil community.
–IANS
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