The issue of holding Kambalas (slush races for buffaloes) has taken a curious turn with the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department seeking a total ban on it.
The board sent a three-page letter by email to Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim on Wednesday seeking a total ban on the sport in view of the recent Supreme Court order on Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. It has requested the Deputy Commissioner to take action to stop “the proposed conduct of buffalo/bull races in Dakshina Kannada district and not grant any permission for any such ‘illegal events’ and report compliance”.
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Pointing out that the board had issued a direction on this to authorities concerned in Udupi, it said that Mr. Ibrahim’s statement that Kambalas can go on in Dashina Kannada is shocking. It further said, “Such events are against Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.” It said that the Supreme Court had deliberated deeply on this and that “the events definitely come under the ambit of cruelty… and cannot be conducted”.
It quoted the Supreme Court order that said, “It is the duty of the government to enforce PCA Act… disciplinary action to be taken against the erring officials so that object and purpose of the Act could be achieved.” It warned that conducting the races would tantamount to contempt of court. The letter is addressed jointly to Mr. Ibrahim, Superintendent of Police S.D. Sharanappa and Assistant Director Animal Husbandry Rajanna.
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Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Thippeswamy has written to Mr. Ibrahim seeking a ban on Kambalas. He also urged the administration to give directions to the police to stop holding the races in the district. He has attached to it the letter written to the secretary of his department by the Personal Secretary to the Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra along with an appeal from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted to the Minister.
Mr. Thippeswamy said that district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai had said during the janata darshan on Wednesday that the matter would be discussed at Bengaluru and that the State government would take an appropriate decision.