The legal battle between law and PETA on Kambala

Mangaluru: People for the Ethical Treatment of animals (PETA) has yet again initiated a legal battle against the traditional sport of Tulunadu by filing an application with the Supreme Court demanding the cancellation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act, 2017, which gave opportunity for the conduction of Kambala sport.

PETA has submitted its application to the Supreme Court against the chapter. In March 2018, PETA requested the permission of the Court to give opportunity to withdraw its  application submitted against the chapter through which the Karnantak government had given permission for the resumption of Kambala and to submit a new application questioning the new law’s constitutional validity and to direct the state government to cancel it. Accordingly, the previous application was dismissed by the Court.

The 1960’s Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals Act provides protection to the animals from torture and trouble. Karnataka government’s new law is in opposition to this. In its application submitted to the Court, PETA argues that this new law is in violation to the section 51 A (G) of the constitution. On February 10^th 2017, the President of india Ram Nath Kovind  gave his sign to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) revised bill, effectively converting it into a law.

Kambala season begins from November

In the undivided Dakshina Kannada (DK) district, Kambala season starts form November and lasts till March. This time, Kambala is expected to begin from the second week of November. The district Kambala committee meeting will take place in November where dates for Kambala will be given. This time, Pilikula and Manjeshwara-Bayaru Kambala will be added. Altogether, 21 Kambalas are expected to be organized. Besides these, including the traditional and religious Kambalas, altogether more than 100 Kambala will take place in the undivided districts.

Dates will be decided in November

“There is no official information on the application submitted to the Supreme Court by PETA against Kambala. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act-2107 which gave opportunity for the conduction of Kambala is in effect. Hence there are no doubts on the conduction of Kambala. In the month of November, the district Kambala committee meeting will be conducted and the dates will be decided,” assured P R Shetty, District Kambala Committee President.