Mysuru, 11 July

The Congress government's plan to include Kambala as part of the Mysuru Dasara festivities drew increased backlash from the Opposition on Saturday, with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy noting the drought-like conditions in the region, and State BJP President BY Vijayendra questioning the local relevance.

Kambala is a traditional, high-speed buffalo race held in the coastal belt of Karnataka. It is done on paddy fields -meaning it will require significant portions of water to be used.

The BJP and JD(S) also pointed out that Kambala has no relevance in Mysuru, adding to the growing opposition to the proposal locally.

"Kambala, which is the pride of Dakshina Kannada, Tulunadu, coastal districts has its own religious significance,” Kumaraswamy posted on X. “This cultural event must be restricted to its own land instead of being introduced to Mysuru region. This event is suitable for Dakshina Kannada coastal district filled with lush green, abundant with rains, and other natural resources not for places like Mysuru according to me.”

Meanwhile, Vijayendra noted that Kambala has its own religious and cultural significance in its own land, and transposing it doesn’t make sense. He added that his party would support the Congress if they supported Kambala in Dakshina Kannada or nearby regions.

Member of the erstwhile Mysuru Royal Family member and MP Yaduveer Krishnadutta Chamaraja Wadiyar said he too conveyed his opposition to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at Dasara High Power committee meeting held at Bengaluru on Friday.

Naada Habba Mysuru Dasara celebrations have their own religious and cultural significance which was celebrated from the last 400 years. “I am not against organising Kambala, but not during Dasara festivities. Organising it during Dasara would send the wrong message”.

Notably, this just a year after the Siddaramaiah-led government invited Booker Prize winning author Banu Mushtaq to preside as the chief guest of the Dasara, prompting the Opposition to question how a Muslim could helm what they called a Hindu festival.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, on Friday, had said that the Dasara inauguration was scheduled for 11 October at 11.50am, and that the ‘Jamboo Savari’ will take place on 21 October. He ruled out reducing the scale of the festivities due to the rain deficit.