In the combined West Godavari district, cock fights are widely held in places like Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Narasapuram, Chintalapudi, and Jangareddygudem.
Published Jan 11, 2025 | 12:21 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 11, 2025 | 12:21 PM
Cock fights in Andhra Pradesh for Sankranti. (Supplied)
For the irrepressible people of Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh, no one can stand between them and cockfights during Sankranti.
Despite the ban on using in fights, cocks with their talons fitted with knives, preparations for the blood sport are in full swing.
The arenas for cockfights with seating arrangements for those who want to watch them are sprouting up everywhere in the Godavari districts.
Some towns and villages have already come alive with huge pandals where cock-fights are being organised, giving two hoots to the restrictions imposed by the courts.
The cock fight arenas are always a huge draw. People of all strata of society turn up and revel in the sport. Then there are punters who arrive from states including Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu to make mega bucks.
Prominent gamblers from cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Warangal, as well as industrialists, businessmen, and realtors from Bengaluru, Bellary (Karnataka), Coimbatore, and Chennai (Tamil Nadu), visit these areas to participate in betting and watch the fights.
As they rake in the moolah, the spectators watch in disbelief. Though natives participate, it is at a very low level of gambling but these punters from outside have very high stakes. The money involved is said to be running into hundreds of crores of rupees.
This gambling activity with a dash of blood thrown in has roots in tradition and therefore it is seen as a legitimate activity, though it is not.
In the combined West Godavari district, cock fights are widely held in places like Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Narasapuram, Chintalapudi, and Jangareddygudem.
In the combined East Godavari district, areas like Mummidivaram, Amalapuram, Kothapeta, and Samarlakota witness large-scale events. Additionally, cockfights are moderately conducted in Guntur and Krishna districts.
As a majority of the people take part in these cock fights with varying sweepstakes, the government too lends its support though surreptitiously. The lawmakers, who are supposed to discourage such activity, are there inaugurating the arena called “baris” in local parlance and attending the events as chief guests.
Local MLAs and other public representatives reportedly pressure even ministers and the Chief Minister to allow cockfights. The fear of political repercussions prevents authorities from taking firm action against these events.
What started as a traditional activity gradually turned into a form of gambling. Initially, it was about two roosters fighting each other naturally.
Now, sharp knives are tied to the roosters’ legs, and the fight continues until one of them dies. While spectators enjoy the show, the roosters suffer severe injuries and bleed heavily.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court banned violence in cockfights last year. On 13 January 2024, a bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R Raghunandan Rao declared that cockfights are an act of cruelty against animals and that such violence must be stopped.
The bench directed district collectors, especially those in East and West Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur districts, to follow previous guidelines issued by the High Court to curb cockfights.
Despite the High Court’s orders, local police are unable to stop cockfights in these areas. Irrespective of which political party is in power, leaders of the ruling party actively support and participate in organizing these events.
Setting the tone for Sankranti about 10 days in advance, areas like Bhimavaram and Undi in West Godavari district become the arenas for the cockfights. Despite strict regulations, no one can stop cockfights during the three days of the festival—Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma.
Cockfights held over three days attract film and television celebrities, as well as other prominent figures, especially in areas like Bhimavaram in West Godavari and Mummidivaram and Diwan Cheruvu in the combined East Godavari district.
Organisers and fans set up banners and flex boards to welcome politicians and film, and TV artists attending the cockfights. However, some celebrities request organizers not to put up such displays.
“This tradition of cockfights is being carried out under the guise of culture. Sharp knives are tied to roosters’ legs, forcing them to fight. Large crowds, including children, women, and youth, gather to watch these fights. Watching such violent scenes, especially the sight of blood, can negatively impact children’s mental health. The normalization of such violence can desensitize children and youth, promoting a dangerous mindset in society,” said Dr. Karri Rama Reddy, a prominent psychiatrist and recipient of the BC Roy Award.
He emphasized the need for the government to take serious steps to promote traditional games and cultural activities like “Prabhalu Jathara” and folk dances during Sankranti.
Among the various breeds of roosters raised for fights, breeds like Nemali, Abras, Red Eagle, and Kakkera are in high demand. A cockfight organizer from Bhimavaram revealed that a rooster was recently sold for ₹2.85 lakh. Prices for fighting roosters range from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh in some areas.
According to police estimates, around 270 arenas were set up for cockfights in the combined Godavari districts last year, with betting worth ₹150-200 crore taking place. Alongside cockfights, other gambling activities like skill games and dice games are also prevalent.
Eluru Range DIG GVG. Ashok Kumar stated that police have been keeping a close watch on cockfights in the combined Godavari districts. He assured that strict action would be taken against those violating regulations and engaging in gambling.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
