Crores spent on cockfights Chittoor bull sport unchecked
Directives by court, cops go unheeded
It was a free-for-all for organisers of traditional cockfights and gambling games — playing cards, the Gundata-cutting cards game — in two Godavari districts during the three-day Sankranti festival. The police warning that these traditional activities would not be allowed in view of court directives went unheeded.
In the run-up to Sankranti, the police created a stir and filed bound-over cases against many; ploughing the fields where cockfights are organised, and in general creating an atmosphere of fear. This did not help.
Cockfights were organised in remote villages in the two Godavari districts and crores of rupees changed hands. To make things more exciting, record dances were also held in some places.
Initially, many organisers were skeptical of the events this time due to the Covid-19 scare and the vigorous police campaign against these. But, the first day of the Sankranti season, on Bhogi Day, some big organisers of cockfights initiated the action in places like Kesanakurrupalem in East Godavari as also Undi and Mahadevapatnam in West Godavari district. This emboldened others too.
In general, the police used to start raids on the cockfight grounds on the third day of Sankranti, on Kanuma. On this Friday, the Kanuma Day, the cockfights were organised on a scale larger than on the Sankranti day. Even small teams also held the cockfight wherever they got a vacant space. In some areas, women
Despite a ban, Chittoor district witnessed the traditional bull-taming sport, a mild version of Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu, with thousands of people including politicos urging the bull-tamers on in many villages this time too, on Friday.
The ban enforced by local administrations and the police earlier this month in Chittoor and Tirupati urban district limits was on done the ground that both the bulls and tamers faced risk to their lives. The organisers with their social and political support made sure the cattle festival styled as ‘Pasuvula Panduga’ or ‘Goppa Mylaru Panduga’ was conducted unhindered.
The cattle festival is in vogue in the Chittoor district for the past 150 years. The sport involves chasing of bulls and cows, making them run amok through a narrow passage. Enthusiasts lining up on both sides compete with each other and run after the cattle to snatch trophies tied to their horns.
The organisers argue that this fete is not aimed at hurting the cattle but only to revere
also participated in the sport.
The state government had decided not to allow cockfights this year. But, in the aftermath of destruction of Hindu idols in some temples, the ruling YSRC felt such a curb will have a negative impact. them and give them a chance to play around. Irrespective of age, people from all walks of life run after the animals and several of them sustain injuries.
This year, the sport was held on a par with the Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, with main shows in several villages in Chittoor district, like Chandragiri, Ramachandrapuram, Kuppam, Ramakuppam, Rangampeta and Palamaner. Under political pressure, the police stood back as mere spectators.
The event was organised also at Kotha Sanambatla in Chandragiri mandal, Anuppalle in Ramachandrapuram mandal and Rangampeta. This time too, several people were injured. YSRC MLA RK Roja took part in the bull-taming sport at Pullaiahgaripalli village.The police said they booked cases against some of the organisers. “We received information from locals about the conduction of Jallikattu and from the hospitals about the injured participants. We are booking cases against the organisers. Stringent action would be initiated against them,” Ramakrishna, SI, Chandragiri, told Deccan Chronicle.
The Opposition Telugu Desam was waiting in the wings to take advantage of any resentment against the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government and the ruling party. Hence, the government thought it wise to not enforce curbs.