Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Jan 24: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, has come out in support of demand for retaining Kambala. Noting that traditions like agriculture, rearing of cattle, and several other other practices have been given up and folklore belief systems have been given a go by, he felt that placing ban on Kambala and such other traditions may result in erosion of culture. "We have no objections if changes are suggested to ensure that violence is not practised in Kambala," he felt.
He noted that almost every country and area has been organizing folk sport with humans in the company of animals in one way or the other, as part of one's culture, and observed that buffalo races have been part of life in many countries and almost all the places in India. Dr Heggade also pointed out that farmers have been expressing their gratitude to the animals by performing puja to them during Deepavali and other occasions, and the practice of seeking divine blessing to ward off evil is also in vogue. He said owners of buffaloes take care of their animals with utmost love and affection.
"When Kambala is held as per tradition, there is no problem. But if it is held for reward, title etc, competition gets intensified and violence sets in. Kambala should remain as part of worshiping the divine backed by a sense of holiness, and not as a field of intense competition. I personally feel that Kambala was banned as we forgot the religious touch it has, and turned it into a sport of entertainment through tough competition," he analyzed. He felt that tradition and religious background should be respected and intense competition should be removed as the main purpose of Kambala.
Dr Heggade reiterated that the court is free to come up with suggestions to remove the violence part from Kambala. He urged the concerned to accede to the demand of the people for retention of Kambala, duly expressing the apprehension that cattle rearing may become a thing of the past considering the cost, labour etc involved if even Kambala is not allowed to be held.