Supreme Court refuses stay PETA plea to ban Kambala in Karnataka

Mangaluru, Nov 6: The Supreme Court of India has refused to stay a plea filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to ban a legislation in Karnataka that permits the annual buffalo race known as Kambala.

The sport is similar to the other controversial traditional game called Jallikattu. The Kambala season begins in November and goes on till March. The sport is popular in coastal districts of Karnataka.

In September this year, PETA had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking direction from the court to strike down the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, which allows kambala events and other bull-cart races in the state.

In its 7 May 2014 judgment, the Supreme Court of India banned jallikattu, bullock-cart races, and kambala events which use buffalo bulls, upholding that the Indian Constitution – read with the central Parliament–enacted legislation under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – provides animals the fundamental right to be treated with compassion and dignity and to be free from unnecessary pain and suffering.

PETA India pointed out that the Supreme Court already ruled that bulls, including buffaloes, are not anatomically suited for races and that inherently cruel practices, such as kambala, that cause nothing but excruciating fear, pain, suffering, distress, and anguish to the animals cannot be purported to promote tradition and culture, the stated intent of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017.

Though the office of the President of India had earlier considered amending the act passed by the Karnataka State Legislature allowing kambala events, the state instead passed the ordinance, which according to PETA is unconstitutional.