M’lore: Trust seeks official guidelines to organize ’Kori Katta’

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 06 Nov 2012 (TOI): A group of likeminded people on apolitical lines has formed Tulu Samskruthi Samrakshana Mathu Samvardhana Trust - Karnataka, with an aim to uphold time-tested traditions of Tulunadu - especially the folk sport of ’kori katta’ (cockfight) that is organized on the sidelines of annual festivals of several temples and daivasthanas in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and to seek official guidelines for organizing such events.

 

 

Dayanand Adyar, general secretary of the trust said there is a sense of suspicion in the minds of the authorities about the conduct of ’kori katta’. "These fights are going on in places such as Kepu, Kurnadu for ages," he said. "Local police give oral permission to organizers to hold them and later on raid the place on instructions from their senior officers. In many cases, devotees coming to such fairs have been unnecessarily harassed," he added.

 

President of the trust Shashiraj Shetty Kolambe said lack of clarity in the minds of authorities concerned on the issue of holding ’kori katta’ is leading to needles confusion for all stakeholders. "The trust and its office bearers will take full responsibility to ensure that no stakes are involved on kori kattas held at religious events," he said, adding it is imperative that the administration spells out its stand clearly and unambiguously on the issue.

 

Santhosh Shetty Boliyaru, zilla panchayat member of the BJP said the trust has no issues to pick with the police if they crack down on gambling conducted at kori kattas.

 

"The trust will hold a mass public rally in the city in December to voice its support for clarity on the issue. We have support from leaders of various communities ." he said.