Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Mar 24: Former Zilla Panchayat member M Thungappa Bangera has urged the government to allow traditional Tulunadu cockfights to be held without gambling, stressing that the community must unite to safeguard the folk sport, akin to the famed kambala races.
Bangera made the remarks at a consultative meeting organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Traditional Practices Protection Forum at the Samruddhi Sahakara Soudha hall of the Vagga Kavala Paduru Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society in Bantwal taluk.
He said, “Cockfights should not be conducted indiscriminately for gambling purposes. I have raised this issue earlier in the Zilla Panchayat. We should form taluk-level committees, like in kambala, to conduct cockfights responsibly.”
Supporting the call, Baby Kunder, president of the Bantwal Town Planning Development Authority, said, “We back this movement and urge authorities to consider the community’s demand.”
Forum district honorary president Shivanna Gowda Idyadi highlighted the cultural significance, saying, “Folk sports are deeply rooted in farmers’ lives. In Dakshina Kannada, religious and cultural practices such as jatres, nema, kola, kambala, cockfights, and aayana are traditions, and cockfights form an integral part of this heritage.”
He expressed concern over the suspension of cockfights in recent months and added, “Reviving and continuing this practice is our duty. Across Dakshina Kannada, Kasaragod, Udupi, Karkala, and Kundapur, there are around 25 lakh cockfight enthusiasts, many of whom rely on it for their livelihood. Only through unity can our organisation gain strength.”
District committee president Belliyappa Gowda Timaregudde questioned the government’s selective support for traditional sports. “While horse racing, kambala, and jallikattu receive encouragement, cockfights face obstacles. Representations have been sent to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and all district legislators. Only sustained pressure from all sides can bring success,” he said.
Entrepreneur Veerendra B Ameen and community leaders including Batyappa Poojari Balnadu, Anand Poojary Kadaba, Gangadhara Poojary Kajekar, Jayachandra Bolmar, Monappa Poojary Mulkajemadu, and Harish Das Kavalakatte were present.
During the meeting, the Bantwal taluk committee of the forum was formed. Gangadhara Poojary Kajekar was elected president; Batyappa Poojary and Krishnappa Poojary Narsikumer as honorary presidents; Ajith Vagga and Chandrashekar Poojary Kumangil as vice-presidents; Harish Das as general secretary; and Prakash Poojary, Jagadeesh Pachaje, and Divakara Das as honorary advisers.
The programme commenced with a welcome note by Divakara Das Kavalakatte, while Jaya Prasanna Nidwal compered the event.
This consultative push reflects growing efforts by local communities to preserve traditional sports while adapting them to modern legal and ethical standards.