Bowing to public pressure, a bill to facilitate the conduct of traditional buffalo race “Kambala” and bullock cart races in Karnataka was introduced in the state Assembly on Friday. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 tabled by Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture A Manju, seeks to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, in its application to Karnataka.
The clamour for Kambala was spurred by the success of the stir in Tamil Nadu for allowing Jallikattu (taming of bull), which led to the state government bringing a similar amendment to the Central act.
Kambala Committees and various Kannada organisations had held protests at several places against the ban.
The bullock cart races are held in North Karnataka and Kambala in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.–PTI
