A police complaint has been filed after nearly 50 goats were allegedly killed during the Bheemanna Jatara at the Bheemeswara Temple in Raikal, in an alleged human sacrifice ritual.
Videos recorded by animal rights activists show men biting the goats on the throat to draw blood as part of the ritual. The incident took place on Tuesday, the final day of the three-day fair, according to a report by the Times of India.
Based on a complaint, Raikal police filed an FIR under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 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 an investigation," confirmed Chitneni Sudheer Rao, sub-inspector, Raikal police station.
According to the locals cited by the outlet, between 50 and 70 goats were sacrificed in the ritual known as ‘gavu pattadam’, in which animals are killed by biting. Videos show the ritual being carried out inside the temple premises while some policemen were present in the crowd.
“Gavu pattadam is among the cruellest methods of killing animals, as they bitten while alive and left to die," said activist and complainant Adulapuram Goutham, adding that such practices continue despite being illegal in Telangana.
Goutham alleged that no one present, including police personnel, stopped the sacrifices. Police, however, said they were deployed only for bandobast duty and did not witness any killing.
Temple organisers admitted that animal sacrifice is common in village festivals and described it as a long-standing tradition.
“Locals believe their wishes will be fulfilled if goats are sacrificed like this," said temple pujari and organiser Devuni Lingaiah.
“We don’t consider these sacrifices inhumane. This is part of our tradition," said Rajesh, a local devotee.
About 10,000 people from across Telangana and neighbouring areas attended the fair, which began on February 1. Activists claimed that at least seven similar incidents have been reported in the state in the past six months, with nearly 100 animals allegedly sacrificed during such rituals.
