Close on the heels of the Karnataka High Court staying the ban on Kambala — a slush-track buffalo race conducted in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts — Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra has advised those favouring the rural sport to approach the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWB) seeking permission before resuming the event.
To a query by Bharatiya Janata Party member V. Sunil Kumar during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the Minister said the district administrations had banned Kambala on the directions of the AWB.
“Now that the High Court has stayed the ban on Kambala on the condition that no cruelty should be caused to animals, you should approach the board,” he said.
Observing that Kambala had its own traditional importance, the Minister suggested that the organisers file a caveat in the High Court.
The High Court on Monday stayed the ban on Kambala and allowed the event on the condition that it be held under the surveillance of the district authorities after ensuring that the animals were not treated cruelly during the race.
It also said the authorities could prosecute people who violated its no-cruelty condition.
