Kambala Bill passed in Assembly, Karnataka tells Supreme Court

The state maintained that 'Kambala' conducted in water and slushy field in coastal districts, helped in regulating the metabolic activity of the buffalo. PTI File Photo
The Karnataka government on Friday told the Supreme Court that a bill has been passed for allowing holding of 'Kambala' (buffalo race) and it would be sent to the President for his approval.
Taking note of the submission, a three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud posted a PIL filed by 'PETA India' for consideration next month.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the NGO, contended that the Ordinance passed by the state was still in operation, pending approval of the bill by the President.
The NGO has challenged the legal validity of the ordinance.
Additional Advocate General of Karnataka, Devdutt Kamat, apprised the court about the development on the passage of "The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017" in the Legislative Assembly.
The state government had earlier maintained there was no legal infirmity in the ordinance, promulgated and approved earlier.
The NGO had claimed the ordinance has removed the very basis of 2014 judgement by the apex court wherein 'Jallikattu' of Tamil Nadu and the bullock-cart race of Maharashtra were declared illegal for violating the fundamental rights of animals.
The state maintained that 'Kambala' conducted in water and slushy field in coastal districts, helped in regulating the metabolic activity of the buffalo. It also contended the practice of 'Jallikattu' (bull race) in Tamil Nadu and bullock-cart race in the Maharashtra cannot be compared to the 'Kambala' as buffaloes were not subjected to any to any fear, threat, distress and pain.