With the controversy over the traditional cockfights during Sankranti, associated with betting and revelry, refusing to die down, the law enforcement agencies in the West Godavari district are caught in the crossfire.
Backed by money power and political clout, punters are leaving no stone unturned not to let the festival go without the revelry associated with the cockfights. But, the animal lovers represented by the Humane Society of International (HIS)- India, an NGO, and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a government agency, are equally opposing the tradition.
BJP senior leader Kanumuri Raghuramakrishnam Raju sought to interpret the apex court’s status-quo order in favour of the cockfights at a media conference at Bhimavaram on Tuesday.
“The sport will be non-violent this time as the birds will be let into the battle ground with no blades tied to their legs. No betting and gambling will be allowed either,” he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the HSI/India led by Navamita Mukherjee met the SP K. Raghuram Reddy, seeking enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act and the AP Gaming Act under which ‘cockfights and betting are prohibited’.
Expressing anguish over the ‘misinterpretation’ of the Supreme Court ruling, the animal rights activist said, “Ordering the status quo should be read in the backdrop of its judgment dated May 7, 2014 passed in the matter of Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja case which does not allow harm to animals and birds in fights. Thereby, provisions of Section 11 (1) (m) (ii) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, prohibiting cockfights, are upheld.” The SP told The Hindu that the police were continuing the drive against cockfights according to the provisions of the Act.
Meanwhile, uneasy calm prevailed at all the high-profile hotspots hosting cockfights in West Godavari district, in view of the uncertainty over the sport and the tough measures initiated by the police.
