An MP from the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday sparked a controversy by inaugurating an illegal cockfighting event.
Maganti Venkateswara Rao inaugurated a cockfighting event at the Eluru stadium in West Godavari district, despite a ban on the practice by the Supreme Court.
Earlier in the day, BJP MP K Raghu wrote to the Centre demanding that the ban on cockfights be lifted.
This comes at a time the Supreme Court stopped neighbouring Tamil Nadu from holding the bull taming sport of Jallikattu even though it was notified by the Centre.
Cockfighting is the highlight of Sankranti celebrations in Andhra Pradesh, and betting on tournaments runs into hundreds of crores of rupees.
The cocks, sometimes with knives attached to their claws, are set against each other in private farms where tables are set for gambling.
The cocks are then forced to fight until one on them drops dead or is too injured to even stand up.
In December, the High Court at Hyderabad banned cockfighting and asked district collectors to ensure that no such events took place. This was later upheld by the Supreme Court.
But despite the ban, organisers prepared months in advance for the events in East Godavari, West Godavari and the coastal districts.
Activists from Animal Welfare Board of India, who oppose such events, said though the laws are strict and clear, the organisers often get away because of political patronage.
Comments
0 comment