Pic: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 24: With a view to garner mass support for lifting the ban on the traditional Kambala, after Jallikattu received green signal from the Tamil Nadu government, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel along with the district Kambala Commitee, film actors and Kambala enthusiasts came together in a interactive session at Hotel BMS here on Tuesday January 24.

In his introductory speech, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Kambala is a sport with vast history of 800 years. It is a part of Tulunadu tradition and a religious practice. Dark clouds loomed on Kambala when Jallikattu was banned and PETA organisation raised objections, comparing Kambala to Jallikattu. The state governement has been giving Rajyotsava award to the Kambala organisers to preserve the tradition and also releasing special grants for the sport, which indicates full-fledged support from the state government to the sport.

"People in Tamil Nadu unitedly raised their voice in support of Jallikattu, similarly, people of Dakshina Kannada should raise their voice in order to revoke the ban on Kambala. On January 28 there will be a protest at Swaraj Maidan with 200 buffaloes where several organisation along with the film fraternity will extend their support, seeking justice for the sport," he said.

"During the Belgavi session, the state government formed a commitee in order to study the pros and cons of Kambala. Tomorrow (January 25), union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is visiting Mangaluru. It is neccessary to convince him; an appeal will be made to lift the ban of Kambala and memorandum will be submitted.

"I heartily welcome the statement by chief minister Siddarmaiah that his government was in favour of holding Kambala and that he has asked the centre to take a favourable stand as it did for Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. There was a rumour that people of Dakshina Kannada lack unity in raising their voice, but they have proved their unity with regard to Yettinahole project, and now for Kambala too people in Dakshina Kannada are united in demanding the withdrawal of the ban," the MP said.

Advocate Pavan Kumar Shetty said, "The ban on Jallikattu paved the way for PETA to object to Kambala too. It is unfair to compare Jallikattu to Kambala which is a tradition and part of religious activities.

"In 2015-16, Justice S Abdul Nazir passed the interim order on a petition filed by Udupi and Dakshina Kannada District Kambala Committee questioning the ban imposed on the rural sport and came up with certain condition to hold the sport. The court’s conditions were that buffaloes should not be subjected to cruelty, no part of a buffalo should be mutilated, irritants/irritant solutions should not be applied on buffaloes, buffaloes should be provided proper food and water, tahsildar and jurisdictional sub-inspector of police should be present during Kambala, and Kambala should be video recorded at the cost of the organisers. On January 7, 2016, gazette notification was issued from the ministry of environment and climate change, which stated that bulls may be continued to be exhibited or trained as performing animals at events such as Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.

"When Jallikattu was banned, PETA came up claiming that Kambala needs to be banned and that it was cruelty on buffoloes. We will go as per the law and we strongly believe that the court will give green signal to the sport," he said.

Swami Sadguru Shashi Kanth said, "Kambala is not only a sport but a religious activity and tradition culture of Tulunadu. Kambala has its own respect and prestige in the state. Buffaloes are treated with such care and concern, provided proper food and water, there is no question of cruelty. This district requires this sport and it is our duty to protect Kambala. We need to set politics aside and raise voices unitedly to revoke the ban on the sport."

Actor Naveen D Padil said, "The entire film fraternity will extend their full-fledged support to protect Kambala, which is the tradition and culture of our district."

Director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail said, "Kambala has earned respect not only in the country but also across the world. The entire state has raised its voice, with even veteran actor Jaggesh and Shiva Rajkumar joining hands to protect Kambala. This is not the first time where PETA has interfered. Earlier PETA raised objection against the film industry on the issue of projecting animals and created problems through its interference. Now we are ready to fight for justice to lift the ban on Kambala."

Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Pradeep Kalkura, Kambala Commitee president Ashok Kumar Rai, Shantharam Shetty, producer Sundar Rai Mandara and others were present.

Udupi: BJP to hold protest march in support of Kambala on Jan 28

Daijiworld Media Netwok - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 24: "BJP Yuva Morcha has decided to hold 'Janandolana' on Saturday January 28 to sensitize public about protecting Kambala," said former MLA Raghupati Bhat, urging people of the coastal district to support the traditional sport.

"Kambala is a better and purer form of sport as compared to Jallikattu. Tamil Nadu government succeeded in lifting the ban on Jallikattu. If the Karnataka government passes an ordinance on Kambala, definitely the central government will approve of it. Kambala is not only a sport, it has a vast history and has been passed on to us by our ancestors."

Referring to an article published in a local newspaper, Bhat said, "There is a special provision in law that the state government can make some changes regarding Kambala. District BJP will support Kumbala. There is no politics when it comes to supporting traditional sports."

The 'Janandolana' will be organising on January 28 at service bus stand, Udupi.

Even Kannada film stars have come forward to support Kambala, Bhat said.

Raghupati Bhat urged people to come out in large numbers and participate in the protest march. Other pro-Kannada organisations are expected to participate too.

Prabhakar Poojary, president Yuva Morcha, Yashpal Suvarna, Nithesh Shetty and others were present at the press meet.