Mangaluru : Various organisations supporting Kambala have decided to stage a mammoth demonstration demanding lifting of the ban on the traditional sport in Moodbidri on January 28.

Zilla Kambala Samithi, Sampradaya Kambala Samithi, Kambala Samrakshane Nirvahane Matthu Tarabethi Academy and Koti Chennaiah Jodukare Kambala Samithi have supported the demonstration.

Prof K Gunapala Kadamba, president, Kambala Academy and founder secretary of Dakshina Kannada Kambala Committee, told reporters that a rally would start from Swarajya Maidan in Moodbidri and pass through Bypass Road before culminating at Kadalakere Nisargadhama Kambala field. Around 200 pairs of Kambala buffaloes and 70,000 people will take part in the demonstration.

“It is unfortunate that the Kambala is being misunderstood. It is part of Tulunadu tradition and religious practice. Showing the footage of Jallikattu, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sought a ban on Kambala. We need to understand the traditional practices of the region and Kambala enjoys a special place and is part of the worship,” he claimed.

He said the hearing of committee’s interim application has been adjourned to January 30 and would be heard with the main petition filed by PETA. The committee has filed an application to put off the hearing. Currently, the case is in the high court and those in favour of Kambala have been demanding that the court grant at least two years to an expert committee constituted by the government to study Kambala before banning it, he said.

Prof Kadamba said, “We will not allow the ban on Kambala that has been practised from time immemorial. Unlike Jallikattu, it does not entail any form of cruelty to animals. We have to prove to the court that Kambala is part and parcel of the tradition of the land. There is a need for a permanent solution to the row over Kambala.”

He said if Kambala is banned completely, then the buffalos will go the slaughter houses.

MLA and Moodbidri Kambala Samithi president K Abhayachandra Jain said, “We will hold a demonstration to press for vacating the ban order. The government-appointed committee has never got chance to study the issue as no races were held due to the stay order. The government has prayed to the court to allow the committee to examine the traditional sport,” he added.

Tulu Nada Rakshana Vedike will hold a dharna in front of the DC’s office at 11 am in Mangaluru on Tuesday. The Vedike members would also hold a dharna from Wednesday and submit memorandum to tahsildars in their respective taluks.

Biruver Kudla members said that they would start a post card campaign to urge the government to vacate the stay order on Kambala. Nithesh Kumar Marnadu of the forum said around 10,000 post cards would be collected and submitted to governor, demanding the need to hold Kambala in undivided Dakshina Kannada district. The campaign would be held as a part of ‘Kambala Ulisi Tulunada Siri Rakshisi’ campaign.