Fact Check: Is Russian President Vladimir Putin Visiting Tamil Nadu To Watch Jallikattu?

Will Russian President Vladimir Putin visit Tamil Nadu and witness the bull-taming sport Jallikattu at Alanganallur during Pongal celebrations?

Since Tuesday morning social media and many media reports have claimed the Russian President along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Tamil Nadu to watch Jallikattu.

Many took to social media to express their excitement over Putin and Modi coming together to witness the Jallikattu festival.

“The world-famous Alanganallur (a village near Madurai) Jallikkatttu event ahead of Pongal festival attracts thousands of viewers. People from foreign countries routinely visit the spot to witness Jallikkattu. We have heard that Putin would visit the event along with the PM Modi,” Hindustan Times a quoted a top official as saying.

However, the newspaper claimed that when it contacted Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar, who represents Thirumangalam assembly constituency in Madurai district, he said there was no official confirmation of the news.

The fact

The Prime Minister Office (PMO), however, clarified that the reports are incorrect and there was no such programme scheduled.

“Media reports of Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Tamil Nadu and watching Jallikattu along with PM Modi are incorrect, no such program has been scheduled,” it said.