BJP leader Maneka Gandhi had opposed Jallikattu before media just four months ago But BJP is trying hard to please the people of Tamil Nadu and is trying its best to allow Jallikattu in the state Maneka Gandhi’s silence has come as a surprise as she is otherwise vocal about animal rights
The most vocal animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi had even brought a check on the use of animals in films. But why is she not talking when the entire country is either speaking for or against Jallikattu, post Supreme Court’s ban on the sport?
Just five months ago, speaking to the media, Maneka had called Jallikattu a terrible sport. She had even said that BJP doesn’t need such a sport to win votes.
“Jallikattu is a terrible festival, be consigned to history it is not good, and the BJP has many many more important things to do. They should not try and get votes just through this. It is a very important party, and we have a role to play in Tamil Nadu. We have very intelligent people here so we should look for good things to promote,” Maneka had told.
But considering BJP’s point of view about Jallikattu, the party was ready to pass an ordinance against the Supreme Court’s rule and allow Tamil Nadu to organise Jallikattu sport, this Pongal. But the Supreme Court again in January clearly rejected the Tamil Nadu’s plea to review its ban on Jallikattu.
The developments in the Centre clearly show that in most probability, Maneka was not asked to utter a word about Jallikattu, as it would contradict the party interest. Her statement in August which meant that BJP does not need jallikattu to make inroads into Tamil Nadu might not have gone down well with the party leaders.
The Animal Welfare Board of India has been the main hurdle to the Centre in passing the ordinance pro-Jallikattu. The tiff between the AWBI is quite old, where the Board is known to have fought for animal rights without fail and the Centre is known to have alleged that the Board was favouring some groups.
However, when Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar came up with a proposal to pass a notification, allowing Jallikattu, the AWBI opposed it.
The Centre was shocked when the AWBI chairman Major General (Retd) Dr RM Kharb opposed the BJP's move to allow Jallikattu through ordinance, and it moved the court against the government. But the Centre too did not waste any time and sent AWBI a show cause notice regarding the audit report.
It looks like the pressure of BJP on the AWBI was such that the chairman resigned from his post on December 23, just two months before he was to complete his tenure. Thus Centre happily appointed Special Secretary in the Ministry, SS Negi to the post.
However, Supreme Court has stood its ground, and at this juncture, the Centre is not in a position to pass the pro-Jallikattu ordinance, considering growing support for animal rights throughout India. However, it looks like the government has lost its chance to please the people of Tamil Nadu yet again. However, it declared Pongal as a national holiday and has managed to keep its face in the state.
Coming back to Maneka Gandhi, when the chairman of AWBI was made to quit and it lobbies extensively to allow Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu one can understand the situation Maneka Gandhi is in. Being an activist herself, will she continue to budge to the political pressure or come out in support of animal rights, at least in the coming year.
Though Maneka’s silence might help BJP in keeping the hope alive of entering Tamil Nadu politics, it will prove negative for the image of her in the nation.
