BENGALURU: The State government on Friday tabled the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017, in the Legislative Assembly to overcome legal hurdles for the smooth conduct of Kambala. Kambala is a folk sport involving buffalo racing.
With the amendment, the state government is bringing Kambala under a legal ambit. The amendment bill seeks to exempt conducting Kambala and/or bullock race from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Defending the Bill, the state government said considering the significant role played by the traditional sports event in preserving and promoting tradition and culture, the state has decided to exempt the same.
It can be recalled, several protests were staged against banning Kambala—an event held in the coastal districts of the state—on the lines of the successful Jallikattu stir in Tamil Nadu.