<p>Bollywood diva Anushka Sharma is making headlines all over.</p>

<p>The <em>Jab Harry Met Sejal</em> actress recently tied the knot with Indian skipper Virat Kohli and hosted a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/virat-kohli-and-anushka-sharma-look-regal-at-their-mumbai-reception-27793">grand reception at Mumbai&#39;s St Regis Hotel</a> yesterday.</p>

<p>Anushka Sharma has now been named as the &#39;PETA 2017 Person of the Year&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The <em>Sultan</em> star had featured previously in PETA&#39;s list of &#39;Hottest Vegetarians&#39;&nbsp;along with Bollywood celebrities like Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Anushka Sharma is a proud animal rights proponent whose kindness and initiative know no bounds,&quot; PETA&#39;s Associate Director, Sachin Bangera, said in a statement today.</p>

<p>The actor has also taken to Twitter to demand a ban on cruel carriage rides in Mumbai, PETA noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PETA&#39;s Person of the Year Award was previously awarded to eminent personalities like Dr Shashi Tharoor, former Supreme Court Judge K S Radhakrishnan Panicker and actors Hema Malini, R Madhavan, and Jacqueline Fernandez among others.</p>

<p>National Award Winner Rajkumar Rao and <em>Highway</em> star Alia Bhatt were named as the &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-alia-bhatt-rajkummar-rao-are-petas-hottest-vegetarians-27478">Hottest Vegetarians</a>&#39; of the year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Alia Bhatt and Rajkummar Rao are fit, hot, and compassionate, and they&#39;re setting a great example for their fans and millions of other people who want to fight climate change with their forks,&quot; said Sachin Bangera, PETA&#39;s Associate Director of celebrity and public relations.</p>

<p>Microblogging giant, Twitter recently declared Anushka Sharma&#39;s wedding post as the &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/anushka-sharmas-wedding-tweet-becomes-the-golden-tweet-of-the-year-27777">Golden tweet of the year</a>&#39; with the maximum number of reposts.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


National Award Winner Rajkumar Rao and 'Highway' star Alia Bhatt were named as the 'Hottest Vegetarians' of the year

Bollywood diva Anushka Sharma is making headlines all over. The Jab Harry Met Sejal actress recently tied the knot with Indian skipper Virat Kohli and hosted a grand reception at Mumbai's St Regis Hotel yesterday. Anushka Sharma has now been named as the 'PETA 2017 Person of the Year'. The Sultan star had featured previously in PETA's list of 'Hottest Vegetarians' along with Bollywood celebrities like Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. "Anushka Sharma is a proud animal rights proponent whose kindness and initiative know no bounds," PETA's Associate Director, Sachin Bangera, said in a statement today. The actor has also taken to Twitter to demand a ban on cruel carriage rides in Mumbai, PETA noted. PETA's Person of the Year Award was previously awarded to eminent personalities like Dr Shashi Tharoor, former Supreme Court Judge K S Radhakrishnan Panicker and actors Hema Malini, R Madhavan, and Jacqueline Fernandez among others. National Award Winner Rajkumar Rao and Highway star Alia Bhatt were named as the 'Hottest Vegetarians' of the year. "Alia Bhatt and Rajkummar Rao are fit, hot, and compassionate, and they're setting a great example for their fans and millions of other people who want to fight climate change with their forks," said Sachin Bangera, PETA's Associate Director of celebrity and public relations. Microblogging giant, Twitter recently declared Anushka Sharma's wedding post as the 'Golden tweet of the year' with the maximum number of reposts. (With inputs from agencies)

Anushka Sharma is PETA's 'Person of the Year'

<p>PETA declared Alia Bhatt and Rajkumar Rao as 2017&#39;s &quot;Hottest Vegetarians&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Every year, PETA decides on the title among several celebrities who have worked to make plant-based foods more popular than ever.</p>

<p>Some other celebrities who couldn&#39;t make it to the finals include&nbsp;Amitabh Bachchan, Vidyut Jammwal, Shahid Kapoor, Sunny Leone, R Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut and Sridevi to name a few.</p>

<p>In a statement, Alia said,&nbsp;&quot;I prefer having vegetarian food. It is a way to healthy life.&quot;</p>

<p>Although Rajkummar did not comment on winning the title, his co-star&nbsp;Ayushmann Khurrana stated that the actor doesn&#39;t have any bad habits, as he &quot;doesn&#39;t drink, doesn&#39;t smoke, doesn&#39;t have non-vegetarian, and talks in a good way.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Alia Bhatt and Rajkummar Rao are fit, hot, and compassionate, and they&#39;re setting a great example for their fans and millions of other people who want to fight climate change with their forks,&quot; said Sachin Bangera, PETA&#39;s associate director of celebrity and public relations.</p>

<p>&quot;Both of PETA&#39;s winners prove that there&#39;s nothing sexier than compassion towards animals, which these celebrities show every time that they sit down for a meal.&quot;</p>


The actors have had a successful year at the box office with hits like 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' and 'Newton'

PETA declared Alia Bhatt and Rajkumar Rao as 2017's "Hottest Vegetarians" Every year, PETA decides on the title among several celebrities who have worked to make plant-based foods more popular than ever. Some other celebrities who couldn't make it to the finals include Amitabh Bachchan, Vidyut Jammwal, Shahid Kapoor, Sunny Leone, R Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut and Sridevi to name a few. In a statement, Alia said, "I prefer having vegetarian food. It is a way to healthy life." Although Rajkummar did not comment on winning the title, his co-star Ayushmann Khurrana stated that the actor doesn't have any bad habits, as he "doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't have non-vegetarian, and talks in a good way." "Alia Bhatt and Rajkummar Rao are fit, hot, and compassionate, and they're setting a great example for their fans and millions of other people who want to fight climate change with their forks," said Sachin Bangera, PETA's associate director of celebrity and public relations. "Both of PETA's winners prove that there's nothing sexier than compassion towards animals, which these celebrities show every time that they sit down for a meal."

Alia Bhatt, Rajkummar Rao are PETA's 'Hottest Vegetarians'

<p>Naruto is the crested black Indonesian macaque who came to a sudden popularity because of a grinning selfie which it took accidentally while looking into the camera lens. That was in 2011. Following the virality of the picture, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a lawsuit in the US to declare the then six-year-old Naruto as the owner and author of its photograph. The group claimed that it is honouring Naruto to recognise that, &quot;He is someone, not something&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ingrid Newkirk, PETA Founder, said in a statement on Wednesday, &quot;Naruto&#39;s historic selfie challenged the idea of who is a person and who is not and resulted in the first-ever lawsuit seeking to declare a nonhuman animal the owner of the property, rather than being declared property himself&quot;.</p>

<p>The picture was originally clicked in 2011 on Sulawesi island of Indonesia when the monkey pressed the camera shutter while peering down the camera lens set up by David Slater, a British nature photographer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court case has reached a settlement where David Slater and his company, Wildlife Personalities Ltd. has agreed to &quot;donate 25 per cent of any future revenue derived from using the selfie to charities that protect the habitat of Naruto and other crested macaques in Indonesia&quot;.</p>


Naruto, the Indonesian monkey, also known as the selfie monkey, becomes the Peta's "Person of the Year". This comes after PETA filed a lawsuit in US to declare the monkey as the owner of his grinning selfie.

Naruto is the crested black Indonesian macaque who came to a sudden popularity because of a grinning selfie which it took accidentally while looking into the camera lens. That was in 2011. Following the virality of the picture, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a lawsuit in the US to declare the then six-year-old Naruto as the owner and author of its photograph. The group claimed that it is honouring Naruto to recognise that, "He is someone, not something". Ingrid Newkirk, PETA Founder, said in a statement on Wednesday, "Naruto's historic selfie challenged the idea of who is a person and who is not and resulted in the first-ever lawsuit seeking to declare a nonhuman animal the owner of the property, rather than being declared property himself". The picture was originally clicked in 2011 on Sulawesi island of Indonesia when the monkey pressed the camera shutter while peering down the camera lens set up by David Slater, a British nature photographer. The court case has reached a settlement where David Slater and his company, Wildlife Personalities Ltd. has agreed to "donate 25 per cent of any future revenue derived from using the selfie to charities that protect the habitat of Naruto and other crested macaques in Indonesia".

Naruto, the selfie monkey is named PETA's 'Person of the Year'

<p>Model-actress Sunny Leone is back in news with an almost nude photoshoot for animal rights&nbsp;Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sunny with husband Daniel Weber were seen posing nude, covered in tattoos for an advertisement against animal cruelty for People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, she said, &quot;We live in a world with such amazing advances in vegan materials and options for everyone. There is no reason for anyone to support cruelty in any form. Synthetic leather, mock croc, and even faux fur are some of the many great options.&quot;</p>

<p>PETA India posted a photo of the couple on Twitter.</p>

<p>The post reads:&nbsp;&ldquo;Ink, Not Mink&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stunning beauty <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunnyLeone</a> and her husband <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielWeber99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanielWeber99</a> in new PETA campaign promote animal-free fashion. <a href="https://t.co/egUvr9xaHF">https://t.co/egUvr9xaHF</a><br />
Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/subisamuel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@subisamuel</a> for this beautiful shot.<br />
Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/hitendra1480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hitendra1480</a> for styling &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TomasMoucka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TomasMoucka</a> for hair &amp; make-up. <a href="https://t.co/polWc6EGQB">pic.twitter.com/polWc6EGQB</a></p>
&mdash; PETA India (@PetaIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PetaIndia/status/935478506766589952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PETA also posted a video in which they can be seen talking about animal cruelty and efforts to protect the voiceless.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH why <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunnyLeone</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielWeber99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanielWeber99</a> want you all to choose animal-free fashion: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WearYourOwnSkin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WearYourOwnSkin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotOursToWear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotOursToWear</a> <a href="https://t.co/OFF8iFK1B3">pic.twitter.com/OFF8iFK1B3</a></p>
&mdash; PETA India (@PetaIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PetaIndia/status/935478570415144961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ad has been shot by ace photographer Subi Samuel and styled by Hitendra Kapoor. It has been unveiled during the World Vegan Month.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The advertisement was released during World Vegan Month

Model-actress Sunny Leone is back in news with an almost nude photoshoot for animal rights Tuesday. Sunny with husband Daniel Weber were seen posing nude, covered in tattoos for an advertisement against animal cruelty for People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) India. In a statement, she said, "We live in a world with such amazing advances in vegan materials and options for everyone. There is no reason for anyone to support cruelty in any form. Synthetic leather, mock croc, and even faux fur are some of the many great options." PETA India posted a photo of the couple on Twitter. The post reads: “Ink, Not Mink" Stunning beauty @SunnyLeone and her husband @DanielWeber99 in new PETA campaign promote animal-free fashion. https://t.co/egUvr9xaHF Thanks @subisamuel for this beautiful shot. Thanks @hitendra1480 for styling & #TomasMoucka for hair & make-up. pic.twitter.com/polWc6EGQB — PETA India (@PetaIndia) November 28, 2017 × PETA also posted a video in which they can be seen talking about animal cruelty and efforts to protect the voiceless. WATCH why @SunnyLeone and @DanielWeber99 want you all to choose animal-free fashion: #WearYourOwnSkin #NotOursToWear pic.twitter.com/OFF8iFK1B3 — PETA India (@PetaIndia) November 28, 2017 × The ad has been shot by ace photographer Subi Samuel and styled by Hitendra Kapoor. It has been unveiled during the World Vegan Month.

Watch: Sunny Leone, husband pose in the buff for PETA ad

<p>An ordinance was promulgated to lift the ban on Jallikattu, an ancient bull-taming sport, has been approved by the Indian government.</p>

<p>The ordinance sent by Tamil Nadu was approved by the federal law ministry. Only President Pranab Mukherjee needs to give his assent to lift the ban.<br />
<br />
Thousands of protestors, who have gathered at Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach since Tuesday, said they will not disperse till the ban is officially listed.</p>

<p>The latest development comes hours after the Tamil Nadu government had promised to issue an ordinance in a day or two as massive protests raged on across the state for close to four days.</p>

<p>After discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and consultations with legal experts, the Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam had announced the state government would amend a federal animal cruelty law to allow the&nbsp;conduct of Jallikattu.</p>

<p>&quot;To take up the draft of the amendment further with the Union government, I have deputed senior officials of the state to work with the Centre,&quot; Tamil Nadu chief minister said, adding, &quot;I believe the draft would be approved in one or two days which will pave way for Jalikattu.&quot; Tamil Nadu government has submitted the draft of the ordinance to the Union home ministry, the chief minister said earlier.</p>

<p>Panneerselvam said the ordinance was awaiting the assent of the President who would reach Delhi only tonight after his state visits.</p>

<p>&quot;It was also decided to issue an ordinance to make this amendment. Under the Constitution of India, this draft ordinance has to be sent to Union Home Ministry and on Centre&#39;s recommendation it has to be sent to the President for his approval,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
The ruling AIADMK&#39;s legislators met home minister Rajnath Singh today, pressing for an ordinance. He assured them the government would process the file as early as possible so that the Tamil Nadu government could promulgate the ordinance in the next few days.</p>

<p>&quot;The Home Minister has assured us that the file on ordinance will be processed as early as possible so that the ordinance can be promulgated in next two-three days,&quot; Parliament&#39;s Lower House Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who led the delegation, told PTI.</p>

<p><strong>Top court defers to government&#39;s wishes, says will not pass order for a week</strong><br />
<br />
Earlier, the Supreme Court decided not to pass any interim or any order for a week on the Jallikattu issue at the behest of the federal government. Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi told the CJI court that Jallikattu judgement should be deferred till next week as the federal and the state governments were trying to solve the issue.<br />
<br />
<strong>Here&#39;s how the protests unfolded across the state today:</strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We&#39;ve been spearheading various protests on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jallikattu?src=hash">#jallikattu</a>.Appreciate efforts by youths.Statement of TN CM has come as a relief: MK Stalin, DMK <a href="https://t.co/ayqBVZhlDM">pic.twitter.com/ayqBVZhlDM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/822356649729867776">January 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Join me on periscope today at 6.14 pm IST as I have the first glass of water&nbsp;to break my fast..</p>
&mdash; A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) <a href="https://twitter.com/arrahman/status/822298998941908992">January 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">Proud of each and every ?????? who came together to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash">#Jallikattu</a> and our ????? ??????????. ?????? ????????. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/unitedforourculture?src=hash">#unitedforourculture</a>.</p>
&mdash; Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) <a href="https://twitter.com/dhanushkraja/status/821389832211443712">January 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DMK leader and MP Kanimozhi takes part in &#39;Rail Roko&#39; protest at Chennai Egmore railway station in support of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash">#Jallikattu</a> <a href="https://t.co/MSwkYrb7MG">pic.twitter.com/MSwkYrb7MG</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/822312428184535044">January 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We all have to come together. All we are asking is for Supreme Court to show sensitivity in this issue:Ganesh Venkatraman, Actor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jallikattu?src=hash">#jallikattu</a> <a href="https://t.co/H1e8hwJqi5">pic.twitter.com/H1e8hwJqi5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/822363690250842113">January 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The protesters&nbsp;have&nbsp;refused to give up with thousands congregating at Marina beach in Chennai, the epicentre of the campaign for Jallikattu. Members of South Indian Artists association, Nadigar Sangam, has&nbsp;decided to support the Jallikattu agitation with music maestro A.R. Rahman deciding to fast in favour of Jallikattu. Actor Rajnikanth has also joined the protests. Marina beach in Chennai continued to receive people who seek revival of the bull-taming game where protests continue day and night.</p>

<p>Many other towns including Alanganallur in Madurai known for the bull-taming sport also witnessed protests. A strike call has been given by traders, truckers and van and taxi operators, and private schools in many districts including Chennai have announced a holiday today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My state rises again. In unison . In peace. Proud to be a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tamizhanda?src=hash">#tamizhanda</a>.Genext here are modern yet culturally rooted. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeforJallikattu?src=hash">#JusticeforJallikattu</a></p>
&mdash; Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) <a href="https://twitter.com/vishy64theking/status/821929984801599488">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach continues to witness massive crowd coming out in support of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash">#Jallikattu</a> <a href="https://t.co/v7SqiepBJc">pic.twitter.com/v7SqiepBJc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/822293825573924864">January 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach continues to witness massive crowd coming out in support of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash">#Jallikattu</a> <a href="https://t.co/Elspz4uFOK">pic.twitter.com/Elspz4uFOK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/822297187811889152">January 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced a statewide &#39;rail roko agitation&#39; where they will create a massive blockade around the state&#39;s railway stations. The Left has also decided to join the rail blockade&nbsp;campaign. Jallikattu remains stalled since May 2014 due to a ban imposed by the Supreme Court, which is due to deliver its verdict on a related case that has been reserved earlier. The widespread pro-Jallikattu protests has led to charges and counter-charges by political parties, even as the call for legal remedies to revive the bull-taming game is getting louder.</p>

<p>The state BJP and the ruling AIADMK blame it on a 2011 Central notification that included bulls in the list of animals that are banned for public entertainment. The DMK and the Congress claim&nbsp;the game has been conducted for three years since then. The agitators continue to raise slogans against People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), though the NGO denies taking up the case originally, saying it only joined the issue at a later stage along with other like-minded bodies.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


The federal government has given its approval to overturn the ban on the ancient sport. The president's assent remains lone hurdle

An ordinance was promulgated to lift the ban on Jallikattu, an ancient bull-taming sport, has been approved by the Indian government. The ordinance sent by Tamil Nadu was approved by the federal law ministry. Only President Pranab Mukherjee needs to give his assent to lift the ban. Thousands of protestors, who have gathered at Chennai's Marina Beach since Tuesday, said they will not disperse till the ban is officially listed. The latest development comes hours after the Tamil Nadu government had promised to issue an ordinance in a day or two as massive protests raged on across the state for close to four days. After discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and consultations with legal experts, the Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam had announced the state government would amend a federal animal cruelty law to allow the conduct of Jallikattu. "To take up the draft of the amendment further with the Union government, I have deputed senior officials of the state to work with the Centre," Tamil Nadu chief minister said, adding, "I believe the draft would be approved in one or two days which will pave way for Jalikattu." Tamil Nadu government has submitted the draft of the ordinance to the Union home ministry, the chief minister said earlier. Panneerselvam said the ordinance was awaiting the assent of the President who would reach Delhi only tonight after his state visits. "It was also decided to issue an ordinance to make this amendment. Under the Constitution of India, this draft ordinance has to be sent to Union Home Ministry and on Centre's recommendation it has to be sent to the President for his approval," he said. The ruling AIADMK's legislators met home minister Rajnath Singh today, pressing for an ordinance. He assured them the government would process the file as early as possible so that the Tamil Nadu government could promulgate the ordinance in the next few days. "The Home Minister has assured us that the file on ordinance will be processed as early as possible so that the ordinance can be promulgated in next two-three days," Parliament's Lower House Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who led the delegation, told PTI. Top court defers to government's wishes, says will not pass order for a week Earlier, the Supreme Court decided not to pass any interim or any order for a week on the Jallikattu issue at the behest of the federal government. Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi told the CJI court that Jallikattu judgement should be deferred till next week as the federal and the state governments were trying to solve the issue. Here's how the protests unfolded across the state today: We've been spearheading various protests on #jallikattu.Appreciate efforts by youths.Statement of TN CM has come as a relief: MK Stalin, DMK pic.twitter.com/ayqBVZhlDM — ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2017 × Join me on periscope today at 6.14 pm IST as I have the first glass of water to break my fast.. — A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) January 20, 2017 × × Proud of each and every ?????? who came together to support #Jallikattu and our ????? ??????????. ?????? ????????. #unitedforourculture. — Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) January 17, 2017 × DMK leader and MP Kanimozhi takes part in 'Rail Roko' protest at Chennai Egmore railway station in support of #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/MSwkYrb7MG — ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2017 × We all have to come together. All we are asking is for Supreme Court to show sensitivity in this issue:Ganesh Venkatraman, Actor #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/H1e8hwJqi5 — ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2017 × The protesters have refused to give up with thousands congregating at Marina beach in Chennai, the epicentre of the campaign for Jallikattu. Members of South Indian Artists association, Nadigar Sangam, has decided to support the Jallikattu agitation with music maestro A.R. Rahman deciding to fast in favour of Jallikattu. Actor Rajnikanth has also joined the protests. Marina beach in Chennai continued to receive people who seek revival of the bull-taming game where protests continue day and night. Many other towns including Alanganallur in Madurai known for the bull-taming sport also witnessed protests. A strike call has been given by traders, truckers and van and taxi operators, and private schools in many districts including Chennai have announced a holiday today. My state rises again. In unison . In peace. Proud to be a #tamizhanda.Genext here are modern yet culturally rooted. #JusticeforJallikattu — Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) January 19, 2017 × Chennai's Marina Beach continues to witness massive crowd coming out in support of #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/v7SqiepBJc — ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2017 × #WATCH: Chennai's Marina Beach continues to witness massive crowd coming out in support of #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/Elspz4uFOK — ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2017 × The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced a statewide 'rail roko agitation' where they will create a massive blockade around the state's railway stations. The Left has also decided to join the rail blockade campaign. Jallikattu remains stalled since May 2014 due to a ban imposed by the Supreme Court, which is due to deliver its verdict on a related case that has been reserved earlier. The widespread pro-Jallikattu protests has led to charges and counter-charges by political parties, even as the call for legal remedies to revive the bull-taming game is getting louder. The state BJP and the ruling AIADMK blame it on a 2011 Central notification that included bulls in the list of animals that are banned for public entertainment. The DMK and the Congress claim the game has been conducted for three years since then. The agitators continue to raise slogans against People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), though the NGO denies taking up the case originally, saying it only joined the issue at a later stage along with other like-minded bodies. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: Lifting of Jallikattu ban moves a step closer

<p><br />
The opposition party in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, DMK, today, dubbed animal rights advocacy group PETA as &quot;anti-national&quot; and said it&#39;s working against Tamil culture.</p>

<p>It sought a ban on the NGO which has been stridently opposing the bull-taming festival Jallikattu.</p>

<p>&quot;Centre should immediately ban the international NGO PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) which is against our culture and is anti-national,&quot; DMK working president and Tamil Nadu opposition leader MK Stalin said.</p>

<p>He also urged the central&nbsp;government to &#39;disband&#39; the incumbent Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and replace it with a body which has more representation for Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>He said the centre&nbsp;and the state government should realise the &quot;negative impact&quot; of having &quot;failed to protect the heritage identity of the Tamil culture&quot;.</p>

<p>Stalin strongly argued in favour of replacing AWBI with a body with &quot;adequate representation for Tamil Nadu as that alone would prove&quot; sports like Jallikattu do not involve any cruelty to the animals.</p>

<p>Jallikattu was a system to rear the native cattle breed, he said.</p>

<p>Targeting PETA, which has been in the forefront of anti-Jallikattu protests, Stalin said such &quot;international NGOs did not realise the diversity of India and aspects of its heritage.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He charged them with working with &quot;ulterior motives&quot;.</p>

<p>The centre should not allow PETA to function any more, he demanded.</p>

<p>He also urged the centre to come out with court-approved mechanism for the conduct of the bull-taming sport in future.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Stalin, working president of the opposition party DMK, urged the central government to 'disband' the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

The opposition party in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, DMK, today, dubbed animal rights advocacy group PETA as "anti-national" and said it's working against Tamil culture. It sought a ban on the NGO which has been stridently opposing the bull-taming festival Jallikattu. "Centre should immediately ban the international NGO PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) which is against our culture and is anti-national," DMK working president and Tamil Nadu opposition leader MK Stalin said. He also urged the central government to 'disband' the incumbent Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and replace it with a body which has more representation for Tamil Nadu. He said the centre and the state government should realise the "negative impact" of having "failed to protect the heritage identity of the Tamil culture". Stalin strongly argued in favour of replacing AWBI with a body with "adequate representation for Tamil Nadu as that alone would prove" sports like Jallikattu do not involve any cruelty to the animals. Jallikattu was a system to rear the native cattle breed, he said. Targeting PETA, which has been in the forefront of anti-Jallikattu protests, Stalin said such "international NGOs did not realise the diversity of India and aspects of its heritage." He charged them with working with "ulterior motives". The centre should not allow PETA to function any more, he demanded. He also urged the centre to come out with court-approved mechanism for the conduct of the bull-taming sport in future. (PTI)

Politician from southern India's Tamil Nadu state calls PETA 'anti-national' for opposing bull-taming festival

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