Kambala at Mysuru Dasara 2026: Royal family and BJP push back against Karnataka govt plan
Synopsis
The Karnataka government's push to bring Kambala — the coastal buffalo race popularised by 'Kantara' — into the Mysuru Dasara fold has collided with an unusual alliance: the royal family, BJP, heritage conservationists, and civil society groups are all saying no. With the Dasara High-Power Committee yet to finalise the programme and a protest deadline looming, CM Shivakumar's 'consultations pending' stance is under mounting pressure.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka government is considering including Kambala , the traditional coastal buffalo race, in Mysuru Dasara 2026 celebrations.
BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar , the Mysuru royal scion, has categorically opposed the proposal, saying it goes against the wishes of the people of Mysuru.
Former BJP MP Pratap Simha , social activist Snehamayi Krishna , and multiple civil society groups have also urged the government to drop the plan.
Activist groups warned of a major protest if the government does not withdraw the proposal within a week.
Shivakumar said a final decision will be taken after consulting all colleagues and examining merits of all suggestions.
Nada Habba Dasara-2026 is confirmed over 11 days , with the official inauguration on 11 October and Jamboo Savari on 21 October .
The Karnataka government's proposal to include Kambala — the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka — as part of the Mysuru Dasara 2026 celebrations has ignited a sharp political and cultural dispute, drawing opposition from the Mysuru royal family, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, heritage conservationists, and civil society groups. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that a final decision will follow broader consultations, but the backlash has already intensified ahead of the Nada Habba Dasara-2026 High-Power Committee deliberations.
Royal Family's Categorical Opposition
Mysuru royal scion and BJP Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar stated that he had unequivocally rejected the proposal during the high-power committee meeting. 'I have clearly said 'no' to Kambala in the meeting. Dasara has its own cultural background, while Kambala has a different tradition. The sentiments of the people of Mysuru are clear. Organising Kambala during Dasara would amount to going against the wishes of the people of Mysuru,' Yaduveer said on Saturday.
He was careful to clarify that the objection was not to Kambala as a sport. 'We are not against Kambala as a sport. Our stand is only that Kambala should not be held as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations,' he added. Yaduveer also alleged that the Indian National Congress (Congress) government had repeatedly acted against public sentiment on multiple occasions.
Separately, Yaduveer urged the government to abolish the pass system for Dasara events, arguing it distracted organisers from the festival's smooth conduct. 'Everyone becomes focused on securing passes instead of ensuring the smooth conduct of the celebrations. Dasara should be celebrated meaningfully rather than merely making it grand,' he said.
BJP and Civil Society Join the Chorus
Former BJP MP Pratap Simha backed the royal family's position, stating that the government should not override the wishes of the royal household given Dasara's status as a traditional and cultural festival where customs must not be overlooked.
Social activist Snehamayi Krishna wrote to Chief Minister Shivakumar on Saturday, urging the government to drop Kambala from the Dasara itinerary. He suggested that funds earmarked for Kambala infrastructure should instead be redirected to support poor traditional artistes who travel long distances to perform in the Jamboo Savari procession.
Ahead of the High-Power Committee meeting, representatives of several organisations — including farmer leader Badagalapura Nagendra, Parashuramegowda of 'Parisarakkaagi Naavu', heritage expert Prof. N.S. Rangaraju (Retd), environmentalist Bhanu Mohan, Ma Gu Sadananda, and Bettaiah Kote — warned they would launch a major protest if the government failed to withdraw the proposal within a week. The groups also cited the prevailing drought conditions in the state as a reason to exercise restraint in scaling up the festival.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar maintained that no final decision had been taken and that the government was examining all suggestions on their merits. 'We will review all the traditions and customs followed in our state. Several suggestions have been received, and we will examine their merits and demerits before taking a decision,' he said, adding that proposals had also been received for performances by internationally renowned singers and events aligned with Hindu traditions.
'This is not a decision that D.K. Shivakumar alone will take. A final decision will be made after discussions with all my colleagues,' he clarified. Congress MLA Ashok Rai has reportedly supported the proposal, though Yaduveer noted the legislator had neither consulted him nor was obligated to do so.
Dasara 2026 Schedule and Key Dates
Despite the controversy, the government has confirmed that Nada Habba Dasara-2026 will be celebrated over 11 days on a grand scale. Following a preliminary meeting at the Vidhana Soudha on Friday, Shivakumar announced that Gaja Puja will be held on 26 August at 10 am. The official inauguration is scheduled for 11 October at 11.50 am, while the traditional Jamboo Savari and Nandi Puja will take place on 21 October at 1.30 pm, followed by Pushparchane (floral offering) at 4.10 pm.
What Happens Next
Whether Kambala ultimately features in Mysuru Dasara 2026 is expected to be resolved after further consultations within the government and the Dasara High-Power Committee. The sport gained nationwide visibility following the success of the film 'Kantara Chapter - 1', which may partly explain the government's interest in incorporating it. However, with the royal family, opposition politicians, heritage experts, and activist groups aligned against the proposal, the political cost of proceeding appears significant. A decision is anticipated before the Gaja Puja date of 26 August.
Point of View
Opposition, heritage groups, and civil society — for what critics see as a populist programming decision riding the 'Kantara' wave. The proposal also arrives at an awkward moment: the state is grappling with drought, making a resource-intensive infrastructure addition to Dasara a harder sell. CM Shivakumar's 'consultations pending' formulation is politically cautious, but the longer the ambiguity persists, the more it energises the opposition ahead of what is already a symbolically loaded festival. The real question is whether the government has a substantive cultural rationale for the inclusion, or whether 'Kantara' box-office momentum is doing the policy thinking.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Karnataka government's Kambala proposal for Mysuru Dasara controversial?
The proposal to include Kambala — the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka — in Mysuru Dasara 2026 has drawn opposition because critics argue it conflicts with Dasara's distinct cultural traditions rooted in Mysuru. The Mysuru royal family, BJP leaders, heritage experts, and civil society groups contend that introducing Kambala would dilute the festival's unique identity and go against the sentiments of the people of Mysuru.
What did Yaduveer Wadiyar say about Kambala at Dasara?
BJP MP and Mysuru royal scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said he categorically opposed the proposal at the high-power committee meeting. He clarified that he is not against Kambala as a sport, but firmly believes it should not be part of Mysuru Dasara celebrations, as doing so would go against the wishes of the people of Mysuru.
What is Kambala and why is it popular now?
Kambala is a traditional buffalo race practised in coastal Karnataka, particularly in the Tulu Nadu region. It gained nationwide visibility following the commercial success of the film 'Kantara Chapter - 1', which is believed to have prompted the Karnataka government's interest in featuring it at Mysuru Dasara.
When is Mysuru Dasara 2026 scheduled?
Nada Habba Dasara-2026 is confirmed as an 11-day celebration. Gaja Puja is scheduled for 26 August, the official inauguration on 11 October at 11.50 am, and the traditional Jamboo Savari and Nandi Puja on 21 October at 1.30 pm.
What has Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said about the final decision?
CM Shivakumar has said no final decision has been taken on including Kambala in Dasara. He stated that all suggestions — including Kambala, international music performances, and sports events — will be examined for their merits and demerits before a decision is made collectively with his government colleagues.
