Bengaluru: The interim ban on annual buffalo race Kambala in Karnataka will remain for at least another two weeks as the High Court today decided to await the Supreme Court verdict on Jallikattu pending before it.

The court had stayed the buffalo racing sport in November 2016 citing cruelty to animals on a petition by animal activists. The Karnataka government on January 28 resolved to move amendment in the forthcoming legislature session from February 6th. This came after neighbouring Tamil Nadu amended laws to facilitate Jallikattu last week.

The state government has been arguing that there are vast differences between Jallikattu and Kambala – primarily that buffaloes are not among the animals notified as banned for sporting events by the Central government (as against bulls, which are banned). Besides, Kambala has not seen as much harm as Jallikattu which has recorded even deaths almost every year it has been held.