Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Mar 23: Union minister for law and justice, D V Sadananda Gowda, said that lot of efforts are being put at the government level to ammend certain provisions of law to allow Kambala folk sport, which is facing threat of ban, to continue. He promised to do everything within his command to see that this rural sport, which is celebrated by farmers, retains its festive spirit and grand presentation as before.

He was was speaking after taking part in the Vijaya-Vikrama Jodukare Kambala held near the bank of River Netravati at Uppinangady on the evening of Saturday March 21.

"Kambala, which has the fragrance of rural culture and folklore sport that has been handed over since generations, is close to the hearts of the people. In this sport, racing buffaloes are being looked after by their owners like their own children. Every mother would have hit her child a couple of times sparingly just to show it the right direction. It cannot be termed as violence. Kambala can never be compared with Jallikattu. We will get report of Karnataka government, and on the basis of this report, efforts would be made to bring legal ammendments in order to retain this beautiful practice of Kambala," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, said that the government will be taking steps to conserve Kambala. She asked the people to rest assured that this rural sport will continue to be organized and . MLC, Ganesh Karnik, said that this is the right time for the government to assert itself and take necessary steps to see that Kambala survives.

Kambala Samiti president, Ashok Kumar Rai, Dakshina Kannada district Kambala Samiti president, Bhaskar Kotian, zilla panchayat member, Keshava Gowda, and a number of leaders and people's representatives were present.

Kambala Samiti working president, Kushalappa Gowda, welcomed. Honorary president, Umesh Shenoy, proposed vote of thanks. Niranjan Rai Matandabettu, presented the programme.