Today, the Karnataka government informed the Karnataka High Court that 'Kambala,' the traditional bull race, is a cultural event celebrated statewide, and any attempt to limit it to particular regions should be rejected.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, representing the Karnataka government, addressed a division bench comprising Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind, underscoring that Kambala is a significant part of Karnataka’s cultural heritage.

He stated, "This is the culture of Karnataka. It's not confined to the state; it could be taken across India. The key issue is whether it constitutes cruelty to animals... Just like horses are imported for races and travel from state to state."

Shetty also denied PeTA's claim that permission for a Kambala event in Bengaluru had been sought, assuring the court that any such action would be communicated, and requested more time to file a counter affidavit.

The submission was made in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) India, which argued that Kambala is traditionally linked to the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. The PIL challenges the expansion of Kambala events beyond these regions, seeking a ban on holding the races in non-coastal areas, including Bengaluru.

PeTA India's writ petition requests several directives, including restricting the state government from issuing permits for bull races like Kambala outside the rural areas of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The petition follows the Kambala Samithi's schedule, which marks the season from October 26 to April 19. PeTA calls for strict enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as amended by the Second Karnataka Amendment Act, 2017, in line with the Supreme Court's directives in The Animal Welfare Board of India and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. (2023).

The petition also contests a government order from November 21, 2023, permitting the event, alleging it violates animal welfare laws. Additionally, PeTA seeks interim relief to prevent any new permits for Kambala races in non-traditional areas until the case is resolved.

The court instructed the state to notify PeTA India in advance if any requests for Kambala permits in Bengaluru are made and adjourned the hearing to November 5, 2024.

Cause Title: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) India v. State of Karnataka & Others

[WP 18406/2024]