Environmentalists and farmers have sent a letter, dated September 7, 2026, to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging him to intervene and halt the Karnataka government’s plan to stage the Kambala (buffalo race) during Mysuru Dasara, contending that the event would worsen the severe drought, drain scarce water supplies and cause environmental damage.
A delegation headed by MLA Darshan Puttannaiah met former chief minister Siddaramaiah and asked him to counsel current chief minister D K Shivakumar to abandon the Kambala proposal; the appeal was also signed by the Joint Action Committee, which includes Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Parisarakkagi Naavu and Bhoomithayi Horata Samiti. The groups clarified they are not opposed to cultural exchange programmes that showcase art and culture from other districts, provided such events do not damage the environment or the identity of Mysuru Dasara.
The letter notes that 101 taluks have already been declared drought‑hit, with roughly 60 additional taluks expected to join the list, leaving farmers in distress as standing crops have withered and sowing remains impossible in many areas. Borewells in several parts of Mysuru city have run dry, creating a drinking‑water crisis, while the Cauvery river water dispute continues to intensify.
Organisers plan to bring about 400 buffaloes and thousands of handlers for a two‑day spectacle, clear vegetation on 25 acres for the slush tracks and use lakhs of litres of water, even as track work accelerates amid the drought and growing environmental concerns.