Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 4: The state high court has extended the stay against ban on Kambala sport in Udupi to Dakshina Kannada district also. This order has paved way for organizing Kambalas in this district subject to certain conditions. The stay had earlier been granted against the order of Udupi deputy commissioner that had declined permission for organizing Kambala sport.
A single judge bench of the high court presided over by Justice A S Boppanna passed this order, after hearing a petition filed by Dakshina Kannada district Kambala Samiti, which had questioned the action of Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner that had stayed Kambalas.
Advocate B V Acharya, placing arguments on behalf of Samiti president, Shantaram Shetty Barkur, and Ashok Kumar Rai on Thursday, said that folklore sport Kambala, which has a history of 300 years, is organized for entertainment. He said that the buffaloes meant for these races are provided with rich food and looked after well. He pointed out that a division bench of the high court had passed an order on Febauray 3, 2015, permitting to hold Kambalas without inflicting violence on the buffaloes. He said that the deputy commissioner was not in order in declining permission to hold Kambalas as sought by the Samiti.
He pointed out that Kambala season begins on November 3 and all arrangements have been made to hold Kambalas and organizers will face heavy loss if Kambalas are stayed. Therefore, he requested permission from the high court to hold Kambalas.
The high court bench, upholding his arguments, permitted to hold Kambalal sport, duly complying with conditions imposed by an order of the state government dated December 17, 2015.