Mangaluru: The Supreme Court refused to pass an interim stay on the Ordinance allowing Karnataka’s traditional buffalo race of ‘Kambala’ on Nov 6. However the apex court agreed to examine the constitutional validity of the Ordinance a week later, on November 13.
A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Misra issued notices to the Centre and the Karnataka government asking them to appear on the matter on November 13.
Meanwhile, the District Kambala Samiti has decided to hold kambala races as per schedule from November 11. Samiti President Barkur Shantharam Shetty told media that they would hold kambala events as per schedule. “The Supreme Court has not stayed kambala. Hence, we will hold kambala events as per schedule and the first event will be held at Moodbidri on November 11,” he added.
The court issued notice to Tamil Nadu government on a separate plea by the same NGO, challenging a similar Ordinance passed for allowing Jallikattu. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, issued notices to TN government to respond on the matter within 4 weeks.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the NGO, “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals”,(PETA) sought immediate stay on the proposed events of Kambala to be organised in Karnataka during November and December.
The animal rights group claimed the move was to circumvent the apex court’s judgement of 2014, declaring Jallikattu, Kambala and other such sports as illegal, in view of cruelty involved to to bull and buffalo.
The court said it would consider the matter for any interim order on November 13.
The President had in July promulgated the Prevention of cruelty to animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, granting legal status to the sport.
The state government followed the Tamil Nadu’s example which preferred the Ordinance route to legalise Jallikattu, in view of the demand for it in the neighbouring state.
