Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jan 28: A mega rally organized here on Saturday January 28 seeking the right to organize popular folk sport, Kambala, in coastal Karnataka, received massive support of the people. The meeting was organized under the aegis of undivided Dakshina Kannada district Kambala Samiti, seeking to reiterate their oft-repeated demand for the conservation of Kambala, the traditional folk sport of this part of Karnataka.
Over 150 pairs of buffaloes and 10,000 people took part in the protest programme that went from Swaraj Maidan to Jodikere field. The programme was aimed at asserting the people's strong demand for retention of Kambala tradition. Various organizations, cine actors, politicians and college students added to the grandeur of the procession.
Already people and organizations have been carrying on different campaigns demanding to retain the traditional sport of Kambala. The programme held at Moodbidri succeeded in giving added impetus to this demand. Participants in the protest raised pro-Kambala slogans and urged the government to save Kambala through an ordinance. A poster asking the government to place a ban on the organization, 'People for Ethical Treatment of Animals' which has been fighting against using animals for sports, also drew attention during the procession.
People with trumpets, conches, and other musical instruments, owners of famous pairs of Kambala buffaloes, politicians, artistes, and different religious leaders took part in the procession held under the leadership of president of the local Kambala Samiti and MLA, Abhay Chandra Jain. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, former minister, Amarnath Shetty, BJP leader, Jagadish Adhikari, Kanyana Swamiji, JDS leader, Ashwin Pereira, Diwakar Shetty,and Congress leader, Mithun Rai, were some of the leading personalities who took part in the programme.
The jatha, which moved from Moodbidri-Karkala national highway through ring road, concluded at Kadalakare Nisargadhama.
The congregation at Kadalakere gave out a loud and clear message that the people of Tulunadu, who hold their ancient culture in high esteem, and who are peace-loving community, know how to respect law. At the same time, they want the concerned to know that they are not cowards and will not under any circumstances allow Kambala to slink into the oblivion. Their enthusiastic response also made it clear that they are prepared for any kind of action to retain Kambala, an integral part of their culture and folklore.
The issue relating to holding of Kambala is before the state high court now. It was clear that the Tuluvas were concerned about the prospects of losing an important part of their culture because of objections from an animal protection group. Not only owners of buffaloes, but even those who steer the buffaloes, fans of Kambala, and people in general came together in support of Kambala.
The people in general wanted the concerned to understand that Kambala does not involve violence. Balekody Shashikant Swamiji asked those who oppose Kambala to change the way they look at this sport. He expressed confidence that the court too will come in support of holding Kambala, addressing the gathering at the fag end of the programe.
"No violence is involved with Kambala. On the other hand, three people recently lost their lives during Jallikattu. Do you mean to say that there is no violence in horse races? Gambling is present right from cricket to cockfight. We respect the law, but in this guise, we are not prepared to sacrifice Kambala. The government should issue ordinance to retain it," demanded former minister, K Amarnath Shetty.
District youth Congress president, Mithun Rai, noted that PETA has been testing the patience of Tuluvas. He warned PETA that they will be taught a fitting lesson if they come to Dakshina Kanada. Dramatist and cine actor, Devidas Kapikad, pointed out that Yakshagana, Bhoota Kola, and Kambala have remained as unique identities of Tuluvas since long even abroad. He asserted that no one would be allowed to wipe out parts of Tulu culture. Navin D Padil felt that communal harmony in the coast will be ruffled if Kambala, one among the five unique feature of coastal region, is stopped. Bhojaraj Vamanjoor felt that the way Tamilians carried out their fight to retain Jallikattu should come as inspiration for the people here.
In his introductory address, K Gunapal Kadamba said that Kambala also happens to be a tradition connected with the divine. He felt that veteran freedom fighter, Doreswamy, and others have expressed the opinion that violence and gambling are involved with Kambala. He felt that these people need to be invited to Kambalas to drive home the point that their notion is wrong.
A large number of leaders from various sectors including politicians, Tulu film actors, representatives of social service organizations etc pledged their solidarity with the organizers of the programme by taking active part in the proceedings.
Over 250 police personnel including a big contingent from Udupi district were deployed on the route of the procession to maintain law and order. The police force is being led by 12 police inspectors and Panambur assistant commissioner of police, Rajendra D S.
The protesters holding placards and shouting slogans demanded an ordinance, as was done in the case of Jallikattu (bull taming sport) in Tamil Nadu, to permit holding of the folk sport which is part of the tradition of the coastal Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
The protest was called by various committees associated with the organisation of the sport, including the District Kambala Samiti, Sampradaya Kambala Samiti, Kambala Academy and Moodbidri Koti-Chennaya Jodukare Kambala Samiti.
A symbolic Kambala was planned earlier as part of the protest, but was given up after persuasion by district authorities against violating the law. The matter is before the Karnataka High Court at present and it will hear the case on January 31.
Meanwhile, a PETA statement said agitators in Karnataka have taken a leaf out of the pro-Jallikattu protesters' book and begun to falsely label PETA India as "foreign" and were now calling for banning the organisation.
Poorva Joshipura, PETA India CEO, said the PETA India was a law abiding organisation which has spent the last 17 years advocating 'ahimsa' (non violence), promoting vegetarian foods and clothing, facilitating free veterinary care for working animals whose owners cannot afford it, among other life saving activities.
"Calling for a ban on PETA India would also be akin to calling for a ban on a child protection organisation which saves children from illegal trafficking. We should all be concerned that such an action is being called for," she said.
After the massive protests in Chennai gained success with the revocation of ban on 'Jallikattu', leaders across political parties have supported a similar action to facilitate Kambala.
A division bench of the Karnataka High Court, headed by Chief Justice S K Mukherjee, in an interim order in November 2016, had stayed holding of Kambala on a petition by PETA challenging it in view of orders passed by the Supreme Court on Jallikattu.
Kambala committees have filed an interim application, seeking vacation of the stay. The ban has sparked a debate on whether the event amounts to cruelty to animals or is just a simple rural sport. Kambala in its traditional form was non-competitive, but over the years, it has become an organised sport.
Animal rights activists claim that the buffaloes run in the race due to fear of being beaten, which the organisers dismiss, saying no violence is involved and that modifications had been made to ensure that it is animal friendly.
Facing growing demand for holding Kambala after the success of the Jallikattu stir in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said an ordinance could be brought in, if necessary, to allow the event after seeking legal opinion.
He had also asked the Centre to take a favourable stand on Kambala as it did on Jallikattu, where both Tamil Nadu and Central governments, after facing public pressure moved swiftly to facilitate the bull-taming sport.
With PTI Inputs
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