Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Oct 29: Karnataka High Court on Friday October 28, stayed the ban on Kambala by
Udupi district administration.

Udupi district administration had not permitted Kambala this year. District traditional Kambala committee honorary president and coastal Jodukare Kambala committee president Barkur Shantharam Shetty, Uppinangadi Kambala committee’s Ashok Kumar Rai and others had submitted a petition against the order in the High Court. Justice A S Bopanna on Friday released stay on the order of the district administration.

Kambala committee senior advocate B V Acharya, advocates S Rajashekar and Rakshith Jain Naravi argued for Kambala in the court. The High court had granted conditional permission when Ashok Kumar Rai had submitted writ petition on March 2 this year. The district administration had refused permission when the High court orders were in force.

There were doubts on holding Kambala sports two years ago. Officials from Bidar Animal Husbandry University had arrived here and conducted a study on the subject. They concluded that buffaloes are one of the animals that can run. “As buffaloes belonging to people belonging to various religions are involved in the race, it is a sport that maintains community harmony. The particular varieties of buffaloes have survived due to the sport. If those who lead the buffaloes are trained, violence can be reduced.” they said. The department of animal husbandry had withdrawn the interim order the next day it was issued. Thereafter the district administration had refused permission.

The union department of environment, due to pressure pro Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, had granted permission last year.