Published Jan 18, 2025 | 11:59 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 18, 2025 | 11:59 AM
Goat beheaded by Balakrishna fans (Screengrab)
On Friday, 17 January, the Andhra Pradesh Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) following the beheading of a goat by fans of Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna.
The incident occurred in Tirupati during the release of his latest movie Daaku Maharaaj. The FIR was filed following the complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
According to PETA, the incident occurred outside Pratap Theatre in Tata Nagar, Tirupati. The group of men allegedly killed the goat as part of a superstitious ritual to celebrate the movie’s release.
FIR Filed Against #NandamuriBalakrishna Fans for Goat Beheading in Andhra Pradesh after @PetaIndia complaint
The #AndhraPradesh Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) following the beheading of a goat by fans of Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna during the… pic.twitter.com/FKuN7xYR3W
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) January 18, 2025
The FIR has been filed against five individuals under multiple legal provisions, including sections 325 and 270 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; sections 4, 5, 6, and 8 of the Andhra Pradesh Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act, 1950; and sections 3, 11(1)(a), and 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Saloni Sakaria, PETA India’s cruelty response coordinator, speaking about the incident said that the gruesome act was caught on video. “The footage shows a terrified goat surrounded by several men before being beheaded with a machete while still conscious. The video also depicts one of the individuals smearing the goat’s blood on the movie’s promotional poster in full public view,” the statement read.
“Killing an animal and smearing its blood on a poster doesn’t make you a super fan—it makes you a criminal,” Sakaria stated.
It further read, “True fans honour their favourite stars with tickets and social media support, not violence or cruelty. PETA India commends Tirupati Police, especially Superintendent of Police L Subbarayudu, for taking swift action and making it clear that cruelty to animals is unacceptable.”
In its complaint, PETA highlighted key provisions under the Andhra Pradesh Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act, 1950, which prohibit the sacrifice of animals at public religious gatherings or in areas of religious worship.
The Act also outlines penalties for violations and classifies such offences as cognizable.
The Supreme Court of India has mandated that animals can only be slaughtered in licensed facilities, with municipal authorities responsible for enforcement.
Furthermore, states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka explicitly ban animal sacrifices at religious events held in public spaces, while Gujarat, Kerala, Puducherry, and Rajasthan enforce similar prohibitions for sacrifices in temples or their precincts.
