Manglauru: Union Minister for Law and Justice, D.V. Sadananda Gowda said on Sunday that the Union Government has not received any demand or request from the Karnataka Government to allow ‘Kambala’ (slush track buffalo race) in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Speaking to the reporters in his residency, Gowda said that the district administration in the twin districts have taken a hasty decision to ban Kambala. Instead, they Deputy Commissioners of both the districts should have consulted the State government and district in-charge ministers before banning the race, he said.

The minister said that Kambala was a rural and folk sport and should be allowed. The State Cabinet should have taken a decision on it, he added.

Responding to the memorandum submitted by the District Kambala Committee of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod (Kerala) districts to him, he said that he would examine it seriously.

Gowda said that he was of the view that violence free kambala should be allowed. Many owners looked after the animals like a child by offering them oil massage, healthy and nutritious food, some even built air-conditioned rooms and separate swimming pool for them. This fact has not been highlighted by the activists. He was of the view that there was nothing wrong in punishing the pairs mildly while preparing them for race like how parents mildly punish their children when did some mischief.

The memorandum said that various political leaders earlier had sanctioned funds for kambala. It included former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily, former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and former MP Vinay Kumar Sorake and present Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Sports K. Abhayachandra Jain.