JAC urges Siddaramaiah to oppose Kambala at Mysuru Dasara
A coalition of civil society groups in Karnataka has petitioned former CM Siddaramaiah to block the inclusion of Kambala, a coastal buffalo racing sport, in the Mysuru Dasara festivities. The committee argues that the event is culturally misplaced and contributes to over-commercialization and environmental strain on the traditional festival.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the tension between preserving regional cultural identities and the state government's efforts to expand tourism and festival programming.
A joint action committee comprising representatives of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Parisarakagi Naavu, Bhoomi Thaayi Horata Samiti, Kannada and progressive organisations, and other groups has urged former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah to advise the State government to drop the proposal to organise Kambala as part of the Mysuru Dasara festivities.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Siddaramaiah, the committee said the world-famous Mysuru Dasara had a rich historical, cultural and religious heritage and cautioned that the addition of too many new programmes was diluting the festival’s unique identity.
The committee pointed out that programmes such as Yuva Dasara and Yuva Sambhrama had contributed to increased crowds, traffic congestion, air and noise pollution and accumulation of waste during the festival. The growing commercialisation and excessive festivities were overshadowing the traditional features of Dasara, it said.
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