I am ready to go to Jail, I will fight against Ban on Kambala – Abhaychandra Jain

I am ready to go to Jail, I will fight against Ban on Kambala – Abhaychandra Jain

Mangaluru: “Kambala is a traditional sport of the villagers but the PETA and the AWBI have compared Kambala to Jallikattu because of which the Supreme court has banned both Jallikattu and Kambala. On January 28, a procession will be held at 9:00 am, which will start from the Swaraj Maidan, Moodbidri and culminate at the Kadalakere Nisargadhama. More than 200 pairs of Buffaloes will be taken in a procession. Film stars, politicians from all parties, locals and students will take part in the protest. The peaceful protest rally “Hakkottaya”, is being organized by various organizations to lift the ban on Kambala. Our intention is to hold a campaign to lift the ban on Kambala. I am ready to go to jail, let them arrest me if what I am doing is against the law”, said the former minister and president of Moodbidri Koti-Chennaya Jodukere Kambala Samiti Abhaychandra Jain in a press meet held at Hotel Woodlands here on January 23.

Addressing the mediapersons Abhaychandra Jain said, “The PETA and the AWBI have compared Kambala to Jallikattu, based on that the court has put a ban on Kambala. On January 30, there is a hearing in the Supreme court on Kambala. Jallikattu and Kambala cannot be compared. More than 10 persons are involved in taking care of a Buffaloe and there is no cruelty towards the animals during the Kambala, buffaloes are treated in a special manner. If Kambala is stopped, Buffaloes will be sent to slaughter houses. So far there is no record of any death during the Kambala. Kambala is the only sport where people from all walks of life gather and enjoy the sport.”

Speaking on the occasion, President of Kambala academy, Gunapal Kadamba said, “The AWBI and the PETA have given wrong information about the Kambala. In Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, Kambala has been organised in a systematic way without harming the buffaloes. When Sadananda Gowda was the chief minister Rs 1 crore was sanctioned for Kambala. The tourism and sports departments have supported the Kambala. Karnataka state has instituted awards for Kambala such as Karnataka State Dasara award, Karnataka Rajyotsava award and Karnataka Kreedaratna Award to support Kambala. ‘Laser Beam Network System’ and electronic timings have played a vital role in bringing transparency during the Kambala race. During the Kambala race, the government has set up a mobile hospital for the safety of the buffaloes. The government has also formed a committee to study Kambala within two years”.

Gunapal Kadamba further said, “On January 30, the Supreme court will give the judgement, if we get a positive judgement to hold Kambala we will celebrate as Vijayotsava or else we will intensify our protest. All the celebrities and political leaders from all the parties have extended their support. Chief minister Siddarmaiah has already extended his support to the Kambala. We will wait for the judgement until January 30. If the judgement will not be in favour of Kambala we will intensify our protest,” he said.

Celebrities from the Tulu film industry, Vijay Kumar Kodialbail, Sadashiv Kapikad, Arjun Kapikad, Naveen D Padil, President of Youth Congress Mithun Rai, Bhaskar Kotian, Deviprasad Shetty, K P R Shetty, Ashok Kumar Rai from Beltangady, Shantharam Shetty and others were also present.