After protests in Tamil Nadu managed to achieve a reversal of the ban on
bull-taming sport Jallikattu, many in Karnataka are demanding focus on
Kambala -- a traditional sport in which water buffaloes are made to race
down a track filled with mud and water. Under the same order in 2014,
the Supreme Court had banned both Jallikattu and Kambala following
complaints by animal welfare groups, which had pointed to the cruelty
and stress inflicted on the animals in both sports.
Kambala used to be held in coastal regions of Karnataka. It was
especially popular in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. In Kambala,
two water buffaloes, yoked together, were made to run at top speed down a
muddy, water-filled route. They were guided and whipped along by a man
who ran with them.
Activists had pointed out that water
buffaloes are not built for speed and it is unnatural to make them run
in such stress-filled conditions.
Vatal Nagaraj, a former
legislator known for his many protests on many different issues, took to
the streets of Bengaluru to demand that Kambala be restored to the
people.
Another protest was held at Bengaluru's Freedom Park on Sunday. Like
their counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Kannada film actors are also
responding to questions on the issue, saying Kambala should also be
allowed in Karnataka. Leading actors like Shivraj Kumar and Yash have
come out in favour of its restoration. Politicians, too, have lent
their voices to the demand.
As in Tamil Nadu, social media is also playing a role.
Last year in November, the Karnataka High Court had banned Kambala races following a public interest litigation filed by PETA.
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