In preparation for the festival, activities like Kodi Pandelu and betting games are being set up in paddy fields and coconut yards.
Cocks fighting in a cockpit in West Godavari. (Supplied)
As the three-day harvest festival of Sankranti approaches, the people of Andhra Pradesh are gearing up for exuberant celebrations. The roads leading from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai are abuzz with activity as travelers head towards the Godavari district in anticipation of the festivities.
In preparation for the festival, organisers are setting up activities such as “Kodi Pandelu”, or cockfighting, and betting games in paddy fields and coconut yards.
All this despite the bans imposed by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974.
The Krishna-Godavari delta region, historically known as the “Rice Bowl of India”, experiences heightened celebrations during the harvest season in January.
The tradition of cockfighting, believed to have been passed down through generations and dating back to the Indus Valley civilisation, is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
Names such as Nemali, Dega, Kakkera, Rasangi, Abrass, Sethu, Hamsa, and Kaki are commonly heard in the region, representing different breeds cared for with great attention. The cost of one bird can range from ₹10,000 to over ₹1 lakh.
Cockfighting is a big deal in these parts of Andhra, with even a book — titled Kukkuta Sastram, translating to The Science of Roosters — delving into the aspects of cockfighting, rearing, as well as details about breeds and colours.
A cockfighting event in Godavari district from 2022. (Supplied)
With numerous farming communities and rich traditions, the region has emerged as a popular festival destination. Many people, settled abroad or working in other cities, return to their native villages during this time, making cockfights more prestigious and entertaining, often involving betting.
In cockpits designated for the fights, two differently coloured roosters are equipped with sharp-edged knives or blades tied to one of their legs. They are released with one feather removed to incite anger, leading to an intense fight.
This continues with brief intervals until one of the cocks concedes, unable to stand on the ground. Spectators place bets, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of other popular sports such as cricket.
LED displays, food, and alcohol are provided for the NRIs and celebrities attending the blood sport. Surprisingly, politicians often facilitate and host these events to garner local support, emphasising their role in continuing the tradition effectively.
The venues also accommodate other betting activities, such as cards and other forms of gambling.
Cockfighting is prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974. Despite a ban imposed by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in 2016, later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, there are instances of cockfighting continuing with minimal crackdown due to political support.
In a PIL filed in 2018 by a former BJP leader, now a YSRCP rebel, MP K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, the Supreme Court allowed cockfighting in a “traditional manner”, sans the knives and the betting. However, there is limited enforcement.
YSRCP regional coordinator YV Subba Reddy kickstarted Sankranti 2024 celebrations in Vizag with his party cadre. (Sakshi)
E Srinivasulu, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Eluru district, part of the erstwhile Godavari district, told South First, “Police have established committees at the panchayat and mandal levels to monitor and create awareness on ground to discourage participation in cockfights. Special teams are formed and stringent action will be taken upon inspection or receipt of complaints. No permission is granted for any form of the traditional sport.”
Mare Shyam, representing the Society for Nature and Animal Protection, expressed concerns about cruelty being organised in the name of tradition. “Despite committees being formed, there are no animal welfare activists as members, and politicians often align with public sentiment for electoral gain,” he said, while speaking to South First.
Like Shyam, Bathula Sanjeevarayudu, an animal welfare activist from Blue Cross Youth Seva Sangam, wonders how hundreds of people can watch a blood sport where voiceless animals of the same species are made to kill each other. He tells South First, “I will actively file cases against those who organise it in Andhra Pradesh.”
Both activists allege that, to their knowledge, no individuals have faced jail time, despite cases being filed against them.
One of the organisers of such a venue in the Godavari district, speaking on condition of anonymity, assured South First that this year will be no different. “I have been doing this for the past 20 years. The Godavari region is renowned for Sankranti and Kodi Pandelu is an integral part of the festival, passed down through generations.”
A fan card betting placed on their favourite actors. (South First)
He questioned why there is so much concern regarding this sport when cocks are also killed and sold by restaurants without similar outrage.
According to him, they rear the roosters with care to celebrate Sankranti. He questioned why there is an issue with that.
He emphasised that farmers, after a year of hard work, want to enjoy festivals with relatives and families who come to visit them. He even questioned the existence of horse betting if everything deemed unethical is banned.
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