SC seeks replies from Centre & Karnataka on PETA's plea against Kambala race
New Delhi, Dec 7: The Supreme Court Friday issued notices to the Centre and Karnataka government seeking their responses on a plea challenging the validity of a new state law allowing buffalo race, Kambala, in the state.
The Kambala race, held between November and March, involves a pair of buffaloes tied to a plough and anchored by one person. They are made to run in parallel muddy tracks in a competition in which the fastest team wins.
It is believed to be held to propitiate the gods for a good harvest, besides being a recreational sport for farmers.
Bullock cart races are held in parts of north Karnataka and in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed a petition in the apex court challenging the validity of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act 2017, which allowed Kambala and other races in the state.
The matter came up for hearing on Friday before a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta.
The court, which issued notice on PETA's petition, tagged it with pending petition which has challenged similar state laws allowing use of bulls for 'Jallikattu' in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart races in Maharashtra.
In its petition in Kambala matter, PETA has said the new amended law was contrary to the object and purpose of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 which mandates that animals must be protected from unnecessary suffering.
On February 2 this year, the apex court had referred the pleas related to 'Jallikattu' to a five-judge constitution bench which would decide if the bull-taming sport fell under cultural rights or perpetuated cruelty to animals.
Jallikattu, also known 'eruthazhuvuthal', is a bull- taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal harvest festival.
PETA is one of the petitioners who have challenged the state law that allowed the bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu.
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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
