President Pranab Mukherjee approves ordinance allowing kambala in Karnataka

Mangaluru: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday approved the promulgation of the prevention of cruelty to animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, legalizing the 'Kambala' sport. Now, Kambala is officially legal in Karnataka.

Kambala, is an annual Buffalo Race held traditionally under the sponsorship of local land lords and households in Dakshina Kannada region and Udupi region. The Kambala season generally starts in November and lasts till March.

The sport, alongwith Jallikattu had been banned following the Supreme Court order based on the petition by various animal rights organizations citing atrocities on the animals. However Tamil Nadu passed a bill in the state assembly to allow Jallikattu after massive protests by the people of the state.

Following this Kambala enthusiasts too held protests demanding legal status for its traditional sport forcing the state government to take a cue from Tamil Nadu and pass an amendment bill in the state Assembly to legalise Kambala in February. The bill had been sent to the President for his approval.

However the same was returned by the President who had sought for some modifications. The revised bill has finally got the assent of the President giving a legal status to the sport.