Mysuru: Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar has assured his support for the protests against the proposed staging of Kambala during the Mysuru Dasara celebrations.Receiving a memorandum from representatives of various organisations, Yaduveer said he had already conveyed his opposition to govt over organising Kambala as part of the Dasara festivities.Speaking on the occasion, Parashuramegowda, general secretary of the ‘Parisarakagi Naavu’ organisation, said they were opposing the proposed Kambala for three major reasons and urged the state govt to drop the proposal.He said holding kambala during Dasara would affect the grandeur, reputation and uniqueness of Mysuru Dasara. “The programmes held every year during Dasara are not conducted systematically. Adding kambala would further increase traffic congestion, air and noise pollution and the problem of waste generation,” he said.He also raised concerns about the proposed venue for kambala, saying the site has hundreds of trees, a lake, and an ecosystem that supports various animals, birds, insects, and other organisms. “Trees are being cut, the lake is being filled, and the ecosystem is being destroyed to organise kambala. The site had been earmarked for development as a park,” he alleged.Parashuramegowda also opposed the event, citing the prevailing water crisis and the difficulties faced by farmers. He said Karnataka had experienced a severe shortage of rainfall this year due to El Niño, and the drinking water crisis is worsening. “In such a situation, wasting water for sports is inhumane,” he said.Eight taluks in Mysuru district are among those declared drought-affected, he said, adding that several localities in Mysuru city and areas within a 10-km radius were also facing drinking water problems due to borewells drying up. Referring to Cauvery water dispute, Parashuramegowda said the issue was becoming increasingly serious and expressed concern over the prospects of Cauvery, Hemavathi and Kabini reservoirs receiving sufficient inflows.He urged govt to focus on supporting farmers and adopt austerity and efficient water management as its priorities. “At a time when people and farmers are facing such a severe crisis, spending money unnecessarily on organising kambala would be insensitive. The govt should organise a simple Dasara this year,” he said.Activists UN Ravikumar, Kalachannegowda, NS Rangaraju, Ravi Bale, Hoskote Basavaraju, Mansoor Ahmed and others were present.
