Hedging up its political capital ahead of the 2018 assembly polls, Karnataka government has sought amendment to the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act of 1960.
It seeks to move the sport of Kambala and bullock carts race from attracting clauses.
The ban was imposed by the SC in the 2014 order along with Jallikattu and other sports.
The state could be cashing in on wide spread protests for Jallikattu in TN.
On 25th Jan 2017, law minister TB Jayachandra said the amendment bill will be moved in February joint session.
Kambala sport has been rooted in Karnataka tradition for 600 years.
The Government will also fix guidelines for the sport in the state to ensure no cruelty towards the bull.
Sport will be played under taluk and district magistrates to oversee the entire Kambala event in their jurisdiction.
Amendment to the act cannot be brought by state government as prevention of animal cruelty falls under concurrent list. Presidential assent will be required for the bill.
Symbolic Kambala is a Kannada traditional annual buffalo race in the marshy fields in coastal districts.
Kambala was once a pastime for the royal family.
According to one belief, the festival was started by the Hoysala Kings to see if the buffaloes could be trained and used during wartime.
The festival may also have originated in the farming community of Karnataka. It is dedicated to Lord Kadri Manjunatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Know More About Kambala- In the earlier days of the festival, it was called Karaga celebrations.
- Later it came to be known as Kambala celebrations.
- There are two types of Kambala: Pookere Kambala and Bale Kambala.
- However Bale Kambala was discontinued 900 years ago, so only the former kind of Pookere Kambala gets celebrated.
- The buffalo race in Karnataka takes place between November and March every year.
- The places where it takes place are Baradi Beedu, Bolantur, Kolatta, Majalu, Puttur, Kamalakettu and Uppinagadi.
- It is also called Kadri Kambala or Mangaluru Hobali Kambala.
