Mysuru: Rejecting the argument that organising Kambala would harm the environment, members of the Dalit Mahasabha staged a protest at Dufferin Clock Tower (Chikka Gadiyara) near Devaraja Market yesterday, demanding that the event be organised on a grand scale despite opposition from environmentalists and others.
“Kambala is not just a sport. It is a native sport and part of our farming, culture and tradition. At present, the State is successfully hosting 27 modern and seven traditional sports, including Kambala. The Supreme Court has also given clearance for organising Kambala. The event has been successfully held in places such as Udupi, Mangaluru, Kasaragod and Bengaluru, without any untoward incidents,” the protesters said.
They urged the authorities to bring a touch of modernity to the event and organise Kambala in Mysuru.
The protesters said, the event would provide an opportunity for hundreds of families and more than 160 artistes to earn an income. They also said, the water used for Kambala would not be wasted, as the organisers had assured that steps would be taken to recharge borewells and allow excess water to flow into agricultural lands.
The Mahasabha members appealed to the people of Mysuru and neighbouring districts to cooperate in organising the cultural event in the city. Mahasabha City President S. Rajesh, Sunil Narayana, Babu, Syed Farookh, B.B. Keshava, Kukkarahalli Nanjundaswamy, S.A. Rahim and others took part in the protest.