Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 27: The Kambala committee of Udupi held a press meet on Wednesday November 26 at Press Club, Brahmagiri, Udupi seeking withdrawal of the Kambala ban.
Deviprasad Shetty, Aikala Kambala committee president, condemning the ban order, said that the people were disappointed about the ban on buffalo races.
Kambala is a form of folk art and it has a 200-year history. The committee has got documentations and leaf manuscripts from various places regarding Kambala namely King of Barkuru (AD 1402), Shringeri, Tippu Sultan, Mysore empire, and Udupi Kenjuru (1200 years back).
He agreed that the Supreme Court did not pass any such verdict. It was a mistake by the Animal Welfare Board officials. “This is not the right decision. Both the central and state government should reveal the truth and clarify the information on the ban order,” added Shetty.
He added that it was a party-free committee. “The committee will hold a massive peaceful protest on Saturday November 29 at Shantinikethan, Mangalore. Nearly 200 pairs of buffalo will be taking part in that protest. The committee expects 25,000 supporters.” Shantharam Shetty, president, Barkur Kambala committee, condemned the ban statement. He said that he does not support the ban but is always ready to accept healthy changes in the folk form of Kambala. The considered department must withdraw the ban order as soon as possible,” he added.
Vinay Ballal, Aras Kambala, Chittaranjandas Bhandary, Bhujanga Shetty, former president of Chanthar panchayat, Subas Ballal and others were present.