Kambala: SC refuses to stay ordinance

Kambala: SC refuses to stay ordinance

Context

• The Supreme Court has refused to stay a plea filed by animal rights activists challenging the annual buffalo race known as Kambala.

What is Kambala?

• Kambala is a traditional bull sport similar to Jallikattu
• Kambala is a contest where two pairs of buffaloes tied ploughs are made to race on slush-filled tracks
• with a jockey guiding them while they run.
• The buffaloes are made to run at a speed that they time close to 12 to 13 seconds while covering a distance of 140 to 160 metres.
• The farmers use a whip to nudge the buffalo ahead and try and make them a medal winner.
• The Kambala season generally starts in November and lasts till March l the following year.

What is the issue?

• Animal rights activists have opposed the sport saying that tying the noses of the buffaloes with a rope and using a whip amounts to cruelty.
• Supreme Court in 2014 had banned Kambala and Jallikattu based on a petition filed by various animal rights organisations.
• Kambala supporters have been protesting since the ordinance on jallikattu was moved by the Tamil Nadu government lifting the ban.
• Massive protests and processions are being taken around with buffaloes to put pressure on the Karnataka government to move a similar ordinance.

What is the court’s finding?

• The court issued notice to Tamil Nadu government on a separate plea by the same NGO, challenging a similar Ordinance passed for allowing Jallikattu.
• The animal rights group claimed the move was to circumvent the apex court’s judgement of 2014, declaring Jallikattu, Kambala and other such sports as illegal, in view of cruelty involved to the bull and buffalo.