Buffaloes are not anatomically structured to run, and making them run during ‘Kambala’, the traditional slush track buffalo race, amounts to cruelty. This was the claim made by State authorities before the High Court of Karnataka on Monday, while opposing the plea by the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Kambala Committees seeking permission to organise annual Kambala events.
Meanwhile, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, who is hearing the committees’ petition, has ordered issue of notice to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and the Union government.
Claiming that buffaloes run because of the fear of being beaten, the district authorities contended that beating buffaloes also violated provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.
The district authorities have also claimed that Kambala is not a religious or traditional event. “Even if it is traditional, PCA Act prevents such practices as unnecessary pain to the animal amounts to cruelty.”
It was also pointed out by the authorities that the permission for ‘Kambala’ cannot be granted in view of the apex court judgment banning ‘Jallikattu’ (bull fighting) in Tamil Nadu. The AWBI had sent emails to the deputy commissioners of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts pointing out that Kambala cannot be allowed in view of the verdict.
The petitioners have claimed that Kambala is a traditional folk sport and the apex court’s verdict on Jallikattu does not impact organising Kambala.
