This is an archive article published on October 22, 2024
PETA moves Karnataka High Court against holding bullock races outside Udupi and Dakshina Kannada
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals argues that when held as a ticketed event outside Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, the ‘kambala’ race can’t be considered as part of local culture.
PETA has requested that the Government be restrained from giving permission to hold bullock races outside the two districts and also be directed to enforce provisions of amended Act as well as Supreme Court directions in any further race. (File)
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, has moved the Karnataka High Court against holding bullock races such as kambala outside the districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, where such races are held as part of local culture.
As the matter was heard on Tuesday by a bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind, PETA, represented by senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, submitted that the Karnataka Government had introduced an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to allow kambala on the grounds of culture, which was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.
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The counsel said, “Now they have said they will hold it in Bangalore, in Shimoga… These two places require the animals to be brought by trucks. From Dakshina Kannada to Bangalore travelling 300 km and then, they will be made to run in this race…”
Chinappa said that it was argued before the Supreme Court that kambala was of cultural importance in the two districts. “Emboldened by that, you cannot start conducting it in different parts of the state,” he added.
The kambala race involves two bullocks directed by a driver running with them.
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In response to a question by the high court as to whether holding the event would amount to cruelty to the participating animals, the counsel said, “They are brought here in trucks and are made to race. This becomes a commercial event and no longer traditional. There are tickets, food courts, VVIP seats, lakhs of people expected to come for such events…. It cannot be a show. It has to be a traditional function, which is part of the culture of a particular area.”
The animal rights group also requested that a November 2023 government order giving permission for such races to be declared ultra vires and that action be taken against organisers of such races in Bengaluru.
PETA has requested that the Government be restrained from giving permission to hold bullock races outside the two districts and also be directed to enforce provisions of amended Act as well as Supreme Court directions in any further race. (File) 
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