Madurai East TVK MLA Karthikeyan has urged the Tamil Nadu government to install a bronze statue of T.V. Ramasubbaiyar, founder of the Dinamalar daily, in Madurai. He raised the request while speaking in the Assembly.
Referring to jallikattu celebrations held as local festivals in several villages around Madurai, the MLA said competitions should be permitted at traditional venues. He also sought an accident insurance scheme and a welfare board for jallikattu participants.
Karthikeyan further proposed that winners of jallikattu events be given priority in government employment. He called for setting up protection centres for jallikattu bulls and providing incentives to those who rear them.
Highlighting the historical importance of the “Natham Kanavai battle” as a precursor to the freedom struggle, he asked for a memorial at Sathirappatti in Madurai to create public awareness. He also demanded government-backed bronze statues in Madurai for Dr B.R. Ambedkar and freedom fighters Azhagu Muthu Kon and V.O. Chidambaranar.
