The Karnataka High Court, on October 14, dismissed the majority of a petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which sought to restrict the traditional Kambala bullock races to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. However, the court agreed to continue hearing arguments concerning the potential impact of the event near a zoo in Mangaluru.
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Kambala, a bullock race rooted in the coastal region of Karnataka, sees teams of bullocks racing along an earthen track. In its petition, PETA argued that the races should only be allowed in the two coastal districts, citing cultural significance. The organization also expressed concerns about animal welfare, particularly the transportation of bullocks to other parts of the state and compliance with animal protection laws.
Kambala deeply embedded in the culture of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi
PETA’s counsel, Dhyan Chinappa, reportedly argued that Kambala is an event deeply embedded in the culture of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, with no tradition of the race in regions like Shimoga or Bengaluru. On the other hand, the State’s advocate, Shashikiran Shetty, assured the court that regulations for such events were already in place, including measures to address concerns about animal welfare.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha, questioned whether limiting the event to specific districts was justified, stressing the importance of viewing the State as a unified entity. The court dismissed most of PETA’s petition but will further deliberate on the potential impact of the event on the nearby Pilikula Biological Park.