Mangaluru: All hurdles for organising Kambala are cleared with President, Pranab Mukherjee, approving an ordinance of the state government, much to the delight of activists who waged a prolonged legal battle in support of the folk game involving a race of buffalos in slush in coastal districts.
The order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs states: "In pursuance of the proviso to Clause (1) of article 213 of the Constitution of India, the President of India hereby approves the promulgation of the 'The prevention of cruelty to Animal (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance 2017,' by the Governor of Karnataka."
“We are really happy that the Ordinance has received the President's nod. We will provide a certified copy of the order to the high court in a day or two and get the stay vacated," Ashok Rai, District Kambala Samithi office bearer, and who has been fighting a legal battle against the ban on Kambala, told Deccan Chronicle, adding "Since last ten years PETA has been trying to stop Kambala and we have been fighting against it. The problem increased after the ban on Jallikattu. I have been fighting the case in the court since four years. With the President promulgating the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance 2017, we will now be in a position to organise Kambala without any hurdles or any fear as Kambala will not be considered as a cruelty against animal. Our folk game will continue this season."
He thanked the state government for promulgating an ordinance, various leaders of BJP, and all elected representatives who worked to secure a green signal for Kambala.
As the high court handed an interim ban on Kambala last year, the organisers would submit a copy of the Ordinance to the court and get the stay vacated.
With the Tamil Nadu government passing an Ordinance for allowing Jallikattu, and the subsequent go-ahead received by the Union government, the state government promulgated an Ordinance to allow the folk game through an amendment to the prevention of cruelty to animals Act.
