SC to hear plea against 'Kambala' after 4 weeks

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) The Supreme Court today said itwould hear after four weeks a plea of an animal rights' bodychallenging a bill to legalise t...

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) The Supreme Court today said itwould hear after four weeks a plea of an animal rights' bodychallenging a bill to legalise traditional buffalo race'Kambala' and bullock cart races in Karnataka.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and JusticesA M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said the fresh plea filedby the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations(FIAPO) would be heard along with the plea of animals rightsbody PETA.

"List after four weeks," the bench said.

FIAPO has filed the plea opposing the state government'sbill to legalise traditional buffalo race "Kambala" andbullock cart races in Karnataka on the ground of cruelty beingmeted out to the animals.

Bullock cart races are held in parts of north Karnatakaand in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

To pave the way for the sports, the state cabinet had onJanuary 28 last year decided to amend the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act, (Central Act 59 of 1960), enacted toprevent infliction of unnecessary cruelty and suffering onanimals.

Kambala race, held between November and March, involves apair of buffaloes tied to a plough and anchored by one person.

They are made to run in parallel muddy tracks in a competitionin which the fastest team wins.

It is believed to be held to propitiate the gods for agood harvest, besides being a recreational sport for farmers.

PETA has also opposed Kambala on grounds of cruelty toanimals and said the agitators have taken a leaf out of pro-jallikattu protesters' book and called for banning the sport.

PTI SJK PKS ABA MNL RKSARC.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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