Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 27: Scores of students led by All-College Students' Association along with Tulu film artistes, Yakshagana artistes, politicians and members of Tulunada Rakshana Vedike on Friday January 27 staged a strong protest at Hampankatta demanding withdrawal of ban on Kambala.

Hundreds of people including actors Devdas Kapikad, Naveen D Padil, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, director-producer Vijay Kumar Kodailbail, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Jagadish Shenava, Sharan Pumpwell, Satyajit Surathkal, Chethan Rai and others called for immediate government action to ensure continuation of Kambala.

Students from KPT, Canara College, Mangalore University College and others formed a human chain.

Addressing the protest, MLA Mohiuddin Bava said, "Kambala is a unifying sport that people of the district are closely attached with, without any barriers of religion, caste and creed. We will fight untilljustice is done."

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Kambala has a vast history of 800 years and it is a religious practice and tradition of Tulunadu. Today the student fraternity has gathered here to protect Kambala and prove youth power. We will fight until justice is done. PETA is projecting Kambala in a wrong way claiming that buffoloes are subjected to cruelty, but the truth is buffoloes are treated with care and concern with great respect like a member of the family. We will continue our protest until ban on Kambala is withdrawn."

Actor Naveen D Padil said, "We will show our unity in protecting Kambala and fight for justice. Before raising voice against Tulunadu tradition, PETA should first show concern towards street dogs which die every now and then. Our voice should reach till the union government."

Director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail said, "Jallikattu and Kambala cannot be compared, till date there is no case reported of people dying in Kambala. It is a wrong notion that buffaloes are subjected to harrasment during the race."

All-College Students' Association lawyer Dinaker Shetty said, "Kambala is part of Tulunadu culture and tradition. The government should get the ban on Kambala revoked. The union government should take concrete steps in resolving the matter. People in the district are closely attached to Kambala as buffaloes are treated with care and concern like their own family members. All of us should support Kambala. We will keep up our fight."

Student of Canara College Preethi said, "It is harsh that Kambala which is a tradition and culture of Tulunadu, has been banned. We need to unite until justice is provided. We will never give up our traditions. Kambala is being practised from the time of our ancestors and carried from generation to generation with respect."