Reclaiming Folk Traditions: After TN’s Jallikattu Success, Karnataka Looks To Pave Legal Way For Kambala

The Karnataka government has thrown its weight behind the traditional bull race, kambala, and said it is prepared to pass an ordinance to revoke a ban on it.

The state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said, according to a Times of India report that the state government is in favour of hosting kambala and is ready to issue an ordinance to legalise it.

He said, since the kambala case is before the High Court, the government is waiting for the case to come up for hearing, after which a legal opinion from the law department will be sought to decide if promulgating an ordinance to lift the ban is necessary.

"It is a rural sport prevalent in the coast,” said the Chief Minister, adding, the kambala issue will be discussed in the state budget session starting 6 February.

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is in Mangaluru, assured that the Centre will extend Karnataka the same support it gave Tamil Nadu on its jallikattu ordinance. He said the Centre will be able to help if the state takes steps to clear obstacles for the sport, the way Tamil Nadu did for jallikattu.

The kambala committees are planning to hold a major protest in Moodabidri in Dakshina Kannada District on 30 January.

The Karnataka High Court in an interim order in November 2016 had stayed holding of kambala on a petition by PETA. The case has been adjourned till 30 January.