Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jan 23: After Jallikattu received the Tamil Nadu government's nod, voices are being raised in Karnataka in favour of Kambala, the traditional sport of the coastal region.
A huge protest will be held at Moodbidri Swaraj Maidan on January 28 against the ban on Kambala, the popular rural sport, informed Moodbidri MLA and former minister Abhaychandra Jain.
Addressing a press meet here, he said, "In 2014, Bidar University conducted a research and found that Kambala was not at all harmful to the buffaloes. Later, the state government also formed a committee and the same findings were reported. However in January 2016, the high court brought stay on the sport, but on conditions set by the court, the Kambala was held.
"In March last year, the high court again banned the sport for a while. This happened four times. The state government has been giving Rajyotasava awards and releasing special grants for this sport. The government should help in lifting the ban on Kambala," he said.
Announcing the protest planned in Moodbidri, he said, "On January 28 there will be a protest at Swaraj Maidan with 200 buffaloes. It will be a peaceful protest. The district Kambala Committee and the Moodbdri Koti Chennaya Jodukere Kambala Committee have filed applications in the high court for advance hearing, so that if the verdict is in support of Kambala, the protest can be instead celebrated as 'Vijayotsava'.
"We are expecting the court's verdict on January 30 to be favourable. Without politicising the issue, the entire state should be united in getting the ban on Kambala lifted," Jain added.
"Animal Welfare Board and PETA have compared Kambala to Jallikattu and filed petition against Kambala stating that it is harmful for the buffaloes. But now ordinance has been passed allowing Jallikattu. Kambala is a part of Tulunadu culture.
"Kambala was scheduled to be held in November 2016, but the ban brought disappointment to the entire fraternity of Kambala enthusiasts. Even in the budget funds were alloted to rural sports," he pointed out.
Actors Devdas Kapikad, Naveen D Padil, Arjun Kapikad, director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail, Kambala academy president Gunupal Kadamba, Uppinangady Kambala Commitee president Ashok Kumar Rai, treasurer K P R Shetty, Youth Congress president Mithun Rai and others were present.
Protest on January 24
Meanwhile, in a separate press meet, the Tulunada Rakshana Vedike announced that a protest demanding lifting of ban on Kambala would be held on Tuesday January 24 near DC's office here.
Tulunada Rakshana Vedike leader Yogesh Shetty Jeppu said, "Kambala is a sport that has a vast history of 800 years, against which People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed an objection. Farmers who are emotionally attached to the Kambala sport are crestfallen since Kambala was banned. Kambala has been scheduled in 25 regions of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod, but unfortunately Kambala enthusiasts are disappointed with this move.
"It is impossible to compare Kambala to Jallikattu sport which is highly dangerous to the animals. People of Tamil Nadu has shown their unity and raised their voice, resulting in Jallikattu getting nod from the government. Similarly, people of Karnataka should raise their voice in protecting the traditional sport of Kambala. Kambala does not harm or violate the rights of animals. It is nothing but a pure sport that is part of the Tulunadu culture. The government and the court should take steps to allow this sport in the state," he said.
"When PETA can interfere to bring ban on a traditional sport, it can even take steps to bring ban on consumption of non-veg food in future, claiming that it is a henious act. When the government banned Kambala, Siddaramaiah stated that he would review the matter, so when Jallikattu has received positive response from the entire country, why cannot the Siddaramaiah-led state government follow the example set by the Tamil Nadu government?" he questioned.
Tulunada Rakshana Vedike general secretary Prashanth Bhat Kadaba, members Gerald Towers, Muneer Bhava, Anand Amin, Srikanth and others were present.