PETA Responds to Bill Passed Favouring Kambala in Karnataka State

New Delhi/Bengaluru:  Today (February 13, 2017), it has been reported that the Karnataka assembly passed a bill to allow the buffalo race Kambala, and that this move was inspired by the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to allow jallikattu events. Reacting to the bill passed Poorva Joshipura, Chief Executive Officer, of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has said that, “A total of 65 non-cognisable offence complaints and one FIR were filed at just three events inspected by the government body Animal Welfare Board of India during Kambala events in 2014 and 2015.”

“The inspection reports contain a scientific assessment of the welfare of buffaloes when they are forced to participate in such events, including photographic evidence and a description of different forms of cruelty inflicted on the animals, such as being subjected to verbal abuse and physical force – including shouting, hitting with hands, slapping on the face, violent pulling of thick nose ropes (in some cases two or three nose ropes inserted through the same hole in the nasal septum), rough handling by pushing and pulling the animal, overpowering, tail pulling, and restricting the movements of the head using a wooden pole tied to the horns. Many of the buffaloes observed frothed at the mouth, salivated heavily, and displayed increased respiration rates, demonstrating that they are anatomically unfit to be forced to take part,” she added.

Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” India has long enjoyed the admiration of countries around the world for its cultural reverence for animals, but today India is moving backward, as other countries are progressing ahead by banning the use of animals in circuses, bullfights, and other cruel spectacles. Allowing this cruelty to animals is a shameful black mark on our nation.

The recent decision to allow jallikattu has had dire consequences, not just for the bulls who are tormented sometimes to death and not just for the more than 5,000 humans who were injured or killed while observing or participating in this blood sport within a span of six years, but for animals in our nation as a whole, she pointed out.

Though most Indian citizens abhor cruelty to animals, since the start of jallikattu events this year, which have already resulted in numerous bull and human deaths in just recent weeks, some have been calling for the legalisation of events such as bull and buffalo races, during which animals are often hit with nail-studded sticks; cockfights, in which knives are often tied to roosters’ feet to make fights bloodier; and bulbul bird fights, for which birds are trapped and fed intoxicants. Cruelties inherent in these events violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.