Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 23: Kambala fans and organizers, who were expecting the governor to give his assent to ammendment bill allowing organization of Kambalas were in for disappointment earlier this week, as the governor chose to forward it for Presidential assent. They were then pinning their hopes on the high court (HC) to lift stay on Kambala in a petition seeking to permit holding of this folk sport. The HC, before which the petition came up for hearing on Wednesday February 22, has put off arguments by two weeks.

The division bench of the HC felt that it would be appropriate to hold hearing in the case later as the government's ammended bill allowing Kambala has now been forwarded to the President for his approval. Chief Justice S K Mukherjee, who heads the bench, stated that he had observed from media reports that the ammendment bill in connection with cruelty against animals act has been passed by the state legislature and submitted for Presidential assent. He therefore found it proper to hold the hearing only after the President decides on the bill.

Holding of Kambala events were stayed by the HC on November 22, 2016 after People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) approached the HC with public interest litigation against holding of Kambala and such other sport as they tantamount to cruelty against animals. Kambala Samiti had questioned this move. PETA has already said that it will move the Supreme Court against passage of ammendment bills allowing Jallikattu, Kambala, bullock cart race etc.