Karnataka cabinet clears amendment to allow Kambala

Bengaluru, Jan 28: The state Cabinet on Saturday gave its approval for amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960, to pave the way for Kambala, a traditional buffalo race held in the coastal districts.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said the act would be amended to include Kambala and bullock cart racing as “traditional sports”.

The government will place the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017, before the state legislature for approval. A week-long session of the legislature is scheduled to commence on February 6.

Jayachandra said once the bill was approved by the legislature, it would be sent to the President for approval. At present, Kambala is not allowed following an interim stay by the Karnataka High Court.

The state government has been under tremendous pressure to allow Kambala after the Tamil Nadu government circumvented the Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu (bull taming) by promulgating an ordinance and later replacing it with a law.