Today, On 23rd October, The Karnataka government defended the traditional buffalo race, “Kambala,” in response to a petition filed by PETA seeking to ban the event. The government argues that Kambala is a cultural practice that has been conducted for centuries and plays a significant role in rural communities. Officials claim that necessary precautions are taken to prevent cruelty to animals during the race.
Bangalore: The Karnataka government, On Wednesday, firmly defended “Kambala,” a traditional buffalo race held on slush tracks, before the High Court, asserting that it embodies the cultural heritage of the entire state, not just specific regions.
This statement came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, which sought to restrict the event.
Advocate General (AG) Shashi Kiran Shetty, representing the state, dismissed PETA’s assertion that Kambala is limited to specific areas. He highlighted that Kambala is an integral part of Karnataka’s cultural landscape and has the potential to be celebrated nationwide. The AG further likened the event to horse racing, where horses are transported from various regions for competitions held across different states. He pointed out that the primary concern should be whether the event involves animal cruelty, rather than its geographic limitations.
Shetty also clarified PETA’s incorrect claim regarding the scheduling of a Kambala race in Bengaluru, stating that no such event is planned for October 26, as previously reported. He indicated that the necessary permissions for the event, proposed for November, have yet to be sought from the appropriate authority.
The division bench, led by Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind, scheduled the next hearing for November 5.
The court instructed the state to inform it in advance if permission is granted for the event, allowing PETA the opportunity to take further legal action if needed.
PETA’s petition called for a halt to any Kambala events in Bengaluru and urged the enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, along with the provisions of the state’s amendments to the Act from 2017. Additionally, it requested that the court limit Kambala to its traditional rural venues in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
PETA’s petition claimed that Kambala is mainly a custom rooted in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, and argued that its widespread organization is driven by commercial interests rather than genuine efforts to preserve cultural traditions. In defending the practice, the Karnataka government stressed that Kambala is an age-old tradition celebrated by diverse communities and that it reflects the cultural identity of the state as a whole.
The government emphasized that it is a well-regulated event, dismissing the claim that the races are being organized solely for profit.
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The Kambala Festival is a vibrant and unique celebration held in the coastal regions of Karnataka, India. Deeply embedded in the local farming culture, it is also referred to as “Devara Kambala” or “God’s Kambala,” due to its association with the Manjunatha Temple in Kadri, Mangalore.
Most popular in Mangalore and other southern coastal areas, as well as remote villages of Karnataka, the Kambala Festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in districts such as Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The festivities feature a grand procession with over 150 pairs of buffalos, meticulously groomed for the occasion.
The festival holds significant cultural and spiritual value, beginning with prayers to Lord Shiva at the Kadri Manjunatha Temple. It culminates in the well-known buffalo race, a distinctive sport cherished by the farming community in Karnataka.