‘Cancel Kambala, conserve water’

Activists raise black flags, display empty pots signifying drought

Mysuru: Opposition to the Dasara Kambala, scheduled for Oct. 18 and 19, has intensified even as finishing works on the racing tracks ‘Vijaya’ and ‘Dashami’ are underway and a huge spectators’ gallery is being built at the venue near the VTU Regional Centre in Sathagalli here.
More than 400 activists from various farmers’ organisations, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), ‘Parisarakkaagi Naavu’, Kannada organisations and progressive groups staged a protest this morning, opposing what they described as the imposition of the coastal sport on Mysuru during the Dasara festival.

‘Parisarakkaagi Naavu’ General Secretary Parashuramegowda addressing the protesters at Dasara Kambala venue near the VTU Regional Centre in Sathagalli Ring Road this morning.

The protesters gathered near the VTU Regional Centre on the Outer Ring Road, at the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) grounds where the Kambala is scheduled. Wearing black bands and waving black flags, they also carried empty pots and small brass pitchers to highlight the water shortage.
The protest was held amid tight Police security, with four units of the District Armed Reserve (DAR) deployed at the spot.
The protesters raised slogans such as “No Kambala in drought”, “No Kambala when drinking water is scarce” and “No Kambala when crops are drying.” They also shouted slogans against the Government, accusing it of being anti-farmer.
The protesters demanded protection of lakes, tanks, birds, animals, hills and forests, and opposed the cutting of trees and use of water bodies for the event. “No water to drink, yet crores of rupees and crores of litres of water wasted on Kambala,” they shouted.
Speaking at the protest, ‘Parisarakkaagi Naavu’ General Secretary Parashuramegowda said: “If the environment survives, we survive. We strongly oppose holding Kambala here, especially in this drought scenario.”
“It is an unnecessary cultural imposition and a waste of public funds. Over 50 large trees and hundreds of smaller saplings were already felled at the venue to construct the racing track,” he said.
He questioned the need to destroy the ecology and spend crores of rupees to transport hundreds of buffaloes and thousands of people from coastal Karnataka when 217 taluks in the State are facing severe drought.
‘Parisarakkaagi Naavu’ State President A.T. Ramaswamy, Farmers Association State President Badagalapura Nagendra, Sugarcane Growers’ Association leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, DSS State Coordinator Guruprasad Keragodu, District President Bettaiahkote, Bhoomi Thaayi Samithi President K.S. Nanjundegowda, Jai Karnataka Parishat State President S. Narayan and several other leaders took part in the protest.