Mysuru: Opposition to kambala event during this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations further intensified with farmers and environmental organisations announcing a series of protests against the event. Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) state president Badagalapura Nagendra said the organisations would launch a phased agitation opposing the conduct of kambala during Dasara.“We will soon stage a sit-in in front of Mysuru minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s office at Jaladarshini guest house. Subsequently, we will hold an indefinite protest at the venue where preparations for kambala are under way. We will also launch a signature campaign against the event. The agitation will be intensified in phases,” he said.Representatives of Parisarakagi Naavu, KRRS, Bhoomithayi Horata Samiti and various Kannada organisations participated in the news conference and criticised govt for continuing preparations for kambala despite strong opposition. They questioned the decision to hold the traditional buffalo race at a time when several parts of Karnataka are facing drought and water scarcity.According to the organisations, nearly 200 taluks in Karnataka are facing severe drought, while groundwater levels have fallen drastically in more than 150 taluks. Thousands of villages are also facing drinking water shortages. They claimed that of the 2,991 lakes in Mysuru district, 2,928 had dried up, leaving only 63 with water. Borewells within a 10-km radius of Mysuru city have also reportedly dried up, resulting in drinking water shortages in several localities.“Why is there a need to organise kambala by wasting more than 25 lakh litres of water and spending around Rs 10-12 crore of taxpayers’ money in such a situation?” questioned Parisarakagi Naavu general secretary Parashuramegowda.He also questioned the justification for spending nearly 25% of the total expenditure earmarked for all Dasara programmes for kambala. “While the govt fails to provide local artists with respectable remuneration and treats them poorly, why is it giving so much importance to kambala?” he asked.
