'Why Restrict Kambala Race To Certain Regions In Karnataka? : Supreme Court Dismisses PETA Challenge

The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea filed by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India against the Karnataka High Court order which held that Kambala and bull races in Karnataka cannot be restricted to the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard the matter.Counsel for PETA argued inter-alia that the events are proposed to be held in palace grounds at Bengaluru, though they are not a part of the tradition and culture of Bengaluru. In response, Justice Mehta said, "They want to showcase the culture in different parts of the state, what is wrong? Let people in other parts of the state be also familiarized with the culture. Why restrict it to a particular area only?"After the matter was dismissed, Justice Mehta added, "One of these days, we may put some questions to PETA also...forget about it right now. Don't aspire us to put those questions right now".Briefly put, PETA approached the Supreme Court, assailing the permission to conduct buffalo races outside the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. It was contended that the other places had no traditional or cultural association with the sport and the events were being organized solely for commercial reasons.Vide the impugned order, the High Court held that neither the state's 2017 Amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act nor the Supreme Court's judgment in Animal Welfare Board of India v. Union of India restricted Kambala races to coastal districts.In its plea before the Supreme Court, PETA submitted, "The Hon'ble High Court in complete contradiction to the stand of the State of Karnataka itself before this Hon'ble Court, held that the tradition and culture of a part of the State cannot be restricted to that part of the State, since doing so could be 'divisive'. The Hon'ble High Court erred in failing to recognise that the conduct of buffalo races is a cognisable offence and is not a matter of right, except where conducted in strict accordance with the exemption under the Karnataka Amendment Act."Case Title: PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS (PETA), INDIA Versus STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS., SLP(C) No. 8272/2026

'Why Restrict Kambala Race To Certain Regions In Karnataka? : Supreme Court Dismisses PETA Challenge

Debby Jain

J Sandeep Mehta also commented that certain questions may be put to PETA as well some day.

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