Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Mar 13: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday March 12, dismissed the petition filed by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) questioning the legal validity of the ordinance passed by the state government allowing Kambala to be organized. With this, a major hurdle that had come in the way of continuing with this folk sport and cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka seems to have been permanently removed.
The SC bench comprising Chief Justice, Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar, and Justice D Y Chandrachud, passed this order.
Additional advocate general of Karnataka, Devdutt Kamath, arguing on behalfl of the state, mentioned that the ammendment bill allowing Kambala has been signed by the president and that gazette notification on this ammendment has already been issued, thus giving it recognition as an act. With this, the ordinance issued for holding of Kambala has become redundant and therefore, the application questioning its validity should be declared unlawful, he requested.
PETA however, said that it will file fresh suit against holding of Kambala as the court has kept its option of seeking to annul amendment act. It said that the way Kambala buffaloes are being treated cruelly during Kambalas clearly violates Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Undivided Dakshina Kannada district Kambala Samiti and Kambala enthusiasts have celebrated this victory. President of the Samiti, Barkur Shantaram Shetty, said that this is a victory of the people who are avid fans of Kambala who fought to retain this folk sport. Office bearers of the committee, general secretary, Vijay Kumar Kanginamane and treasurer, P R Shetty, too expressed happiness about the development, and said that PETA is not in order in attacking the folk sport and culture of Tulunadu. Convener of Kambala Academy, Gunapal Kadamba, said that the people should be cautious about the option that is still open for PETA to file suit against the ammended act. Therefore, he felt that people should stay united and continue effort to permanently retain Kambala sport through organized action and solidly staying behind efforts to retain Kambala.