Kambala lovers welcome High Court decision

Event supporters burst firecrackers, distribute sweets

Kambala lovers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts rejoice over the decision of the Karnataka High Court to lift its ban on Kambala, on Monday. Firecrackers were burst and sweets were distributed as a part of the celebrations.

The Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts Kambala Committee members  expressed their happiness and have decided to continue the tradition. On the direction of Animal Welfare Board , Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district administration had imposed a ban on Kambala. Following the ban order, the committee had filed a writ petition questioning the ban in the High Court, on November 26.

Uppinangady Kambala Committee President Ashok Rai said that the Udupi DC had not discussed with Kambala Committee President and members before imposing a ban.

Much earlier to the ban, the Kambala committee had taken initiative to conduct Kambala without violence and Kambala on an experimental basis without violence was held at Miyar.

“Before banning Kambala, a scientific survey should have been carried out. Notices were not served in advance. The court has given us justice. We have been fighting for the cause since mid November. In fact, Union Minister for Law D V Sadananda Gowda had given us a positive reply when memorandum was submitted to him recently,” Rai said. 

Award winning Kambala ‘otagara’ Devendra Kotian from Udupi said that the court has understood the sentiments of the people of the district while delivering its justice.

Measures should be initiated to ensure that such confusion does not recur in the future.

“Kambala is a part of culture of the land. We were sad when the district administration had banned the Kambala. The court order has brought smile on the face of the Kambala committee members and Kambala lovers. One can conduct Kambala without any violence,” he said.

Udupi district JD(S) President and Aikala Kambala Committee Manager Deviprasad Shetty said “Kambala was banned owing to lack of coordination between elected representatives and government. Kambala is an integral part of Tulu culture. It should be passed on to the future generation.”

Jilla Nagarika Samithi General Secretary Nityananda Olakadu said that lifting the ban has brought a ray of hope. The folk sport should continue.