The promise made by the elected representatives to adherence to the ‘non-violent’ cockfights during Sankranti vanished in the thin air as the blood sport continued across the West Godavri district, with countless birds being killed, on Wednesday, the first day of festival.
BJP leader Kanumuri Raghuramakrishnama Raju, who moved the Supreme Court in favour of the cockfights, promised to honour the rule of law by organising only ‘dinki fights’, meaning roosters being pit one against the other without blades tied to their legs, at a media conference at Bhimavaram on Tuesday.
He demonstrated even one of such fights before the media.
ADVERTISEMENT
Government Whip Chintamaneni Prabhakar of the TDP made a similar case while petitioning P. Harikumar, DIG of Police, Eluru Range, in the city on Wednesday.
Mr. Prabhakar allowed the cameramen to take a few snaps involving cocks initially indulging in fights without blades after he inaugurated the show at Koppaka under Denduluru constituency and forced them to leave the venue later.
MP Maganti Venkateswara Rao too took part a ‘dinki cockfight’ during the government-sponsored Sambaralu with a message that the violence-free cockfights should be allowed to honour the native culture and traditions.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Can there be a cockfight without using blades,” said a few person while watching the sports at Gundukolanu.