Police fail to stop AP’s Jallikattu organised in Chandragiri flouting norms
Tirupati: Jallikattu version of Andhra Pradesh – Pasuvula Panduga – was organised on Sunday in violation of norms at Arepalli Rangampeta village in Chandragiri constituency of Chittoor district on occasion of Kanuma festival.
Flouting Supreme Court’s ruling, prohibitory orders by police and Covid protocols in force, thousands of villagers gathered at Rangampeta village, with cattle owners of the area bringing over 50 bulls. The animals were fed grass laced with jaggery and marijuana leaves. They were also given country liquor to drink before being stampeded into running through a narrow passage of the village amid beating of drums and loud noises as part of celebrating Kanuma.
People from neighbouring Nellore and Kadapa districts too had gathered at Rangampeta in Chittoor district for the festival. As the bulls ran amok, youth vied with one another to snatch trophies tied to the bulls’ horns.
About 30 persons were injured. Ambulances kept ready by organisers for such an eventuality rushed them to hospitals. Luckily, none was injured seriously.
The 50-odd bulls had been brought earlier to Rangampeta from about 20 cattle sheds of the surrounding villages. Their owners had earlier offered pujas at temples of their respective villages before arriving in Rangampeta for the Pasuvula Panduga.
In different batches, bulls were stampeded into running through the narrow streets earmarked for the purpose till the evening. Youth chased them to untie the trophies from horns.
The programme had been organised despite a ban on the sport. Organisers heaved a sigh of relief as the event passed off peacefully and without any fatalities or serious injuries.
Police had earlier acted tough against the proposal. But owing to political pressures, they let the event go ahead. Law and order authorities too relaxed as everything went off peacefully. However, to avoid backlash from public, particularly animal activists and organisations, they have decided to book cases against those who organised the event.
Pasuvula Panduga – the milder version of Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu bull-chasing sport, has been in prevalence in Chittoor district for the past 150 years.
