BENGALURU: The state government is planning to bring in a legislation to allow the traditional sport of Kambala. A Bill will be introduced in the Assembly session starting from February 6. The decision follows an outcry in Karnataka to allow Kambala, following Tamil Nadu’s decision to pass an ordinance allowing Jallikattu.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said the Animal Husbandry Department had been told to prepare a draft about the same and it will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on February 28.
“We cannot bring in an ordinance because of the upcoming Assembly session. Unlike jallikattu, there is no animal cruelty involved in Kambala. This sport is linked to social and cultural practices and banning traditional sports is not suitable. The government had earlier allowed the sport to be conducted without any cruelty to animals,” Jayachandra said.
The draft prepared by the Animal Husbandry Department will have guidelines on how to conduct the sport without causing any harm to animals. The government is mulling an amendment to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Jayachandra said that the amendment allowing Kambala might also include allowing bullock cart racing. Meanwhile, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has criticised the decision to consider allowing Kambala to be held.
“Now, protestors are also calling for the legalisation of bull and buffalo races during which animals are often hit with nail-studded sticks. If this trend towards cruelty is allowed to continue, it may not be long before agitators start demanding the overturning of laws that protect vulnerable humans too,” CEO of PETA India, Poorvi Joshipura said.
The matter will come up for hearing in the High Court on January 30.