
VIJAYAWADA: Contrary to the High Court’s directive instructing police personnel to ensure that rooster fights are not held in the State under the guise of tradition and customs, the blood sport was widely observed during the three-day festivities.
According to estimates, the total bets this year exceeded Rs 2,000 crore. Numerous people, including youngsters and women, thronged the arenas to witness cockfights in Edupugallu, Ramavarappadu, Ibrahimpatnam, Mangalagiri, Gannavaram, Nunna, Thiruvuru, Chinchinada, Pulapalli, and other villages in Krishna and NTR districts.
During the Sankranti festival, cockfights are a major spectacle in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Godavari districts, where locals consider this blood sport a cherished tradition.
A large number of people from other States visit the Godavari districts specifically to witness rooster fights.
Sources reveal that over 1,000 cockfighting rings were set up in and around Bhimavaram and Narsapuram in West Godavari district, Kaikaluru in Eluru district, and various parts of the erstwhile Krishna district.
It has been learnt that a rooster fight between Tadepalligudem-based businessman Gudivada Prabhakar Rao and renowned breeder Ratayya attracted the highest single bet of Rs 1 crore. Rao emerged victorious after an intense bout.
The rooster fights, along with gambling and other associated events, are expected to continue until Thursday evening. Despite the State police taking steps to curb illegal activities such as cockfighting and gambling during Sankranti celebrations, the blood sport persisted unabated across the State, with the backing of political leaders. Organisers exerted significant political pressure on both the police and revenue officials, while the public’s enthusiasm for the sport left officials largely as passive observers.
“Cockfights have been part of Sankranti celebrations for centuries. The festival cannot be celebrated without cockfights and gambling. My cousins and I have come all the way from Kurnool to Bhimavaram for this,” said businessman Raghavendra.