Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 7: There was apprehension in the air in coastal Karnataka as the petition filed for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against the ordinance which allowed holding of Kambalas had been taken up by Supreme Court for hearing. The Kambala fans are a relieved lot now, as Supreme Court (SC) refused to entertain the request of PETA to stay the operation of the said ordinance, when the matter came up on Monday November 6. The respite is albeit temporary, as the hearing has now been adjourned to November 13.
The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which took up the PETA's petition that has questioned the ordinance of Karnataka government allowing Kambala, refused to stay the ordinance. It ordered issuance of notices to central and state governments on this issue. In the application filed on behalf of PETA on September 22, Dr Manilal Valliyate, had prayed for stay order against the ordinance. Chief secretary of Karnataka government, secretary in forests and environment ministry of the central government and secretary of Indian Animal Welfare Board, Chennail, had been named by PETA as defendants in this case.
The first ever Kambala of the season, which will be in the form of victory celebrations, will be held at Kalakere Nisargadhama in Moodbidri on November 11. Therefore, the initial Kambala of the season will go on as planned. In the meanwhile, Vijaya Vikrama Kambala Samiti, Uppinangady, has made arrangements to file petition seeking to be made a party to the petition, through Supreme Court counsel, Sanjay Luli. President of the Samiti, Ashok Rai, expressed elation at the fact that Supreme Court refused to issue a stay against the
challenged ordinance.
Kambala Academy convener, Gunapal Kadamba, and president of district Kambala Samiti, Shantharam Shetty, have expressed happiness at the fact that the cloud of uncertainty over Kambala have withered for now.
The ordinance paving way for organizing Kambala had obtained Presidential assent on August 20 this year. The ordinance needs to be made a law by passing the same through both houses of legislature before January 20. The bill in this connection, which has been approved by the cabinet, is likely to be moved in the Belagavi session of the legislature
shortly.