As the demand for Kambala, a buffalo racing festival, continues to grow in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “We are for Kambala (buffalo race), not against it, it is a rural sports and if necessary we will bring the legislation also”.
Kambala, is an 800 year old practice that is held between the months of November to March and is largely performed in the areas of Dakshin Kannada and Tulunadu. Kambala is performed to appease the god for good harvesting and is generally done by the farming community of the region. It is believed that the first festival was held at the Kadri temple in Mangaluru.
As the protests for the Kambala escalates across Karnataka, agitators gathered in vast numbers in Mangaluru demand for lifting the ban on the buffalo racing festival.
Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP from Dakshina Kannada, said, “Kambala is a traditional sport of Tulunadu and without understanding the difference between Jalikattu and Kambala, PETA had filed a petition to ban Kambala. They should know that there is no cruel treatment given to bovines during the sport. We all should join hands and intensify our Protest until the ban on Kambala lifted”.
Law Minister TB Jayachandra while addressing to media said, “The amendment will be moved on February 6 when the assembly session begins. This will be after the High Court hearing on January 30. Kambala has been a part of Karnataka’s tradition for 600 years and it is not as inhumane,”.
He added, “There has not been a single death related to kambala for many decades. However, there will be certain guidelines under which it can be played to ensure that the animals are not subject to cruelty,”.
We are for #Kambala (buffalo race), not against it; It's a rural sports, if necessary, will bring legislation also: K'taka CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/GN3Rbmw8wP
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 27, 2017
