Strong protests to defy ban, ’Kambala’ on Jan 28

Mangalore Today News Network

Moodbidri, Jan 23, 2017: Encouraged by the success of the Jallikattu movement in Tamil Nadu, organisers of Kambala (buffalo race) in Karnataka on Jan 22, Sunday decided to hold the traditional sport in Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada district on January 28 by defying ban order.  The decision was taken at a meeting held by the Kambala committee at Moodbidri, its president Ashok Rai said.

The High Court of Karnataka had passed an interim order in November last year, staying Kambala on a petition filed by PETA. The next hearing is on January 30, he told PTI. "We have decided to conduct Kambala races on January 28 before the matter comes up for hearing in the court," he said.

All Kambala organisers will take buffaloes to Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri. Later, they will proceed to Kadalakere Nisargadhama, the venue for Kambala. The traditional buffalo race will be held from 11.30 am till evening, he added.

"Also planned is a massive protest in Mangaluru on January 28 where 50,000 people, including politicians and film stars, are expected to attend," Rai said. The rally would be held before the start of Kambala, and 200 pairs of buffaloes would be paraded, he said.  Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar said Kambala was Karnataka’s right and he would urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the traditional sport. RSS media coordinator in Karnataka said the organisation favoured Kambala just as Jallikattu and these should be held with no violence.

"Kambala and Jallikattu are part of our agro-based traditions and are one of the indigenous ways for conservation of native cattle breeds. We are in favour of them. Both Kambala and Jallikattu should continue with no violence," he said.  "We all want to save Kambala. The government should impress upon the court. We are ready to go to jail," said Moodbidri MLA and president of Moodbidri Kambala committee K Abhayachandra Jain.