Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Feb 28: Political tensions flared in Udupi as the foundation stone for a Kambala ground in 80 Badagabettu village was laid despite prohibitory orders imposed by the district administration.
The ceremony was led by BJP MLA Suresh Shetty, president of the Koti Chennayya Jodukere Kambala Committee, Udupi, while MP Kota Srinivas Poojary unveiled the poster for the Udupi Kambala.
Congress leader and former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake had objected to the ceremony, insisting that the foundation stone be laid on March 4, triggering a dispute between Congress and BJP leaders.
The State Kambala Committee condemned the politicisation of the traditional event. Committee president and Congress leader Devi Prasad Shetty attended the occasion.
Despite the prohibitory orders, the ceremony went ahead. Speaking at the event, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said:
"For the first time in history, a Kambala is being organised in the name of Udupi, and it is also the first time that eight MLAs have come together to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony. I appeal to the district administration to support the MLAs when they are undertaking good work in their constituencies, instead of imposing restrictions. The administration should not create such confusion over this matter."
MLA Sunil Kumar criticised Congress and certain former ministers for politicising the event, stating: "We had held discussions with the district administration and finalised the date for the event. The Kambala is being organised using our own funds and with the support of donors. However, unnecessary politics has been injected into the matter… Across the state, BJP and JD(S) MLAs are being denied grants and harassed. Protocols are being violated, unnecessary cases are being filed, and ironically, those who speak about the Constitution are the ones violating it."
Gurme Suresh Shetty, in his introductory address, said that Kambala is a cultural tradition celebrated across caste, religion, and class. He noted that although the date for the groundbreaking ceremony had been finalised, the district administration communicated on the previous evening that it had been rescheduled to March 4. He emphasised that he had no intention of politicising the matter, but acknowledged that the issue had taken a political turn.
The event reportedly concluded peacefully, with a large deployment of police personnel to maintain law and order.
Other dignitaries present included MLAs Yashpal Suvarna, Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Gururaj Gantihole, Rajesh Nayak, Bantwal Harish Poonja; MLC Dr Dhananjay Sarji; Deviprasad Shetty, president of the State Kambala Association; Nandalike Srikanth Bhat, member of the Koti Chennayya Jodukere Kambala Committee; former MLA Lalaji R Mendon; former Chairman of the Coastal Development Authority Mattar Ratnakar Hegde; leader Harikrishna Bantwal; and office-bearers of the State Kambala Association.