Jagtial goat sacrifices draw police case at Bheemanna Jatara
HYDERABAD: A disturbing incident of animal sacrifice has surfaced from Jagtial district, where around 50 goats were allegedly killed in an inhumane manner during a religious event. Videos recorded by animal rights activists show men killing goats by biting their throats to make them bleed as part of a ritual.
Ritual held during three day jatara
The incident occurred on Tuesday, the final day of the three day Bheemanna Jatara held at the Bheemeswara Temple in Raikal. Locals said the sacrifices were part of a ritual known as gavu pattadam, in which animals are killed by biting.
Based on a complaint, Raikal police registered a first information report against the organisers under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with mischief by killing or maiming animals. Cases were also booked under Section 6 of the Telangana Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1950, and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“We registered a case and started investigation,” said Chitneni Sudheer Rao, sub inspector, Raikal police station.
Activists allege police inaction
Animal rights activist and complainant Adulapuram Goutham said between 50 and 70 goats were sacrificed. Videos accessed by TOI show the ritual being performed within the temple premises, with some local policemen seen in the crowd.
“Gavu pattadam is among the cruellest methods of killing animals, as they are bitten while alive and left to die,” Goutham said, alleging that despite the ban on animal sacrifices in Telangana, such practices continue at several temples. He also alleged that no one, including police personnel present at the venue, attempted to stop the sacrifices.
Raikal police, however, said they were deployed only for bandobast and did not witness any animal sacrifice.
Organisers cite tradition
Temple organisers admitted that animal sacrifices are common at village jataras. Devuni Lingaiah, the temple pujari and one of the organisers, said the practice has been followed for generations. “Locals believe their wishes will be fulfilled if goats are sacrificed like this,” he said.
Another devotee, Rajesh, said some jataras witness sacrifices of lakhs of animals. “We do not consider these sacrifices inhumane. This is part of our tradition,” he said, adding that the jatara is held during January–February in line with customs followed by various castes and communities.
Activists claimed that at least seven similar incidents have been reported across Telangana in the last six months from districts including Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Nizamabad and Adilabad, with close to 100 animals allegedly sacrificed.
About 10,000 people from across Telangana and outside the state attended the Bheemanna Jatara, which began on February 1.
