Despite a clear directive from the Andhra Pradesh High Court, cockfighting and illegal betting persisted on a massive scale across coastal districts during the Sankranti festival, highlighting the challenges of enforcing animal welfare laws and curbing gambling traditions deeply embedded in the region’s rural culture. According to sources familiar with the matter, hundreds of crores of rupees were allegedly wagered over the two-day period, from Bhogi on Wednesday to Sankranti on Thursday, with the spectacle continuing into Kanuma on Friday.

Cockfighting, a centuries-old tradition associated with Sankranti, is considered by locals as a form of celebration. However, the sport involves extreme cruelty toward animals. Two specially trained roosters are equipped with razor-sharp blades or knives tied to their legs, and they are set to fight each other in an arena until one either dies or withdraws. The matches attract large crowds, with spectators betting large sums of money on the outcomes.

S Veerraju, a resident of Bhimavaram in West Godavari district, estimated that “at least ₹1,000 crore change hands in a span of three days of festival.” He added that the volume of betting and the scale of the cockfights have grown over the years, fueled by a combination of local enthusiasm, political patronage, and lax enforcement.

High Court Orders Ahead of Sankranti

On Monday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court issued strict instructions to prevent the occurrence of cockfights and gambling during the Sankranti festivities. The bench, headed by Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, was hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by animal welfare activists. The court directed the state government to implement measures aimed at enforcing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and other relevant laws, and to prevent betting and gambling associated with the blood sport.

Specifically, the high court asked the government to constitute district-level committees to oversee the enforcement of animal welfare laws and instructed authorities to form joint inspection teams comprising police officers, tahsildars, and representatives from animal welfare organizations. These teams were tasked with identifying and monitoring cockfighting venues, preventing their use, seizing instruments used in the fights, and confiscating betting money.

The court also reminded officials that personal accountability would be invoked in case of lapses in enforcement. District collectors, particularly in West Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur, were explicitly instructed to prevent cockfighting by invoking Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) if necessary.

Police Action and Dismantling of Arenas

In some areas, the police did attempt to enforce the high court orders. In Krishna Rao Palem village of Chatrai mandal in Eluru district, authorities dismantled makeshift cockfighting tents. Superintendent of Police Pratap Shiva Kishoreemphasized that organizing cockfighting and gambling during festivals is a punishable offense, warning that strict legal action would be taken against organizers, financiers, and participants.

However, despite the crackdown, cockfighting continued unabated in many parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. Hundreds of makeshift arenas, some resembling small stadiums, were reportedly erected across the Godavari belt. Thousands of spectators from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu flocked to the venues, bringing with them high-end vehicles that blocked roads and created massive crowds.

S Shashanka, who traveled from Hyderabad to observe cockfights in Rajahmundry, noted that “at every village across Konaseema district, hundreds of high-end cars, SUVs, and motorcycles were seen blocking the thoroughfares,” indicating the scale of the gatherings and the sheer economic activity associated with the sport.

Political Participation in Cockfights

Reports suggest that several political leaders participated in the cockfights, placing bets on the outcomes of the matches. Among those present were Andhra Pradesh Assembly Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju, former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, and Rajya Sabha member Sana Satish Babu, who reportedly attended matches in Bhimavaram.

In addition, other local legislators were seen at arenas across the districts, including Pathsamata Dharma Raju, Chirri Balraju, Chintamaneni Prabhakar, and Kamineni Srinivas from Andhra Pradesh, as well as Kanakaiah and Adinarayana from Telangana. Their participation has raised concerns about political endorsement of an illegal and cruel practice, potentially undermining the high court’s directive and emboldening organizers.

The Scale of Betting and Economic Implications

The amount of money involved in these cockfights has grown exponentially over the years. While accurate figures are difficult to obtain due to the clandestine nature of betting, observers estimate that hundreds of crores of rupees were wagered over the festival period. These high-stakes bets have transformed cockfighting from a cultural tradition into a highly lucrative, albeit illegal, economic activity.

The financial stakes also indicate the difficulty of enforcement. The presence of large sums of cash, political figures, and influential community leaders makes it challenging for law enforcement agencies to act decisively, particularly in rural areas where traditional support for the sport remains strong.

Public Response and Animal Welfare Concerns

Animal welfare organizations have expressed alarm at the continued popularity of cockfighting despite repeated legal bans. Representatives from groups such as the Stray Animal Foundation of India and Humane World for Animalsdescribed the practice as “inhuman and distressing”. They noted that even when FIRs are filed against organizers, arrests are often not made, as many cases are bailable offenses, allowing organizers and participants to continue their activities with little deterrence.

Critics also highlighted the need for greater awareness campaigns to educate rural communities about the cruelty involved in cockfighting, as well as the legal consequences for participation and organization. Activists have called on the government to implement stricter enforcement mechanisms and penalize influential figures who continue to engage in or endorse the activity.

Cultural Context and Political Sensitivity

Cockfighting during Sankranti is a deeply ingrained cultural practice in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Godavari delta region, where the festival marks the harvest season and local traditions celebrate rural life. While the sport has cultural significance, its violent and exploitative nature has led to repeated legal interventions, reflecting a tension between cultural practices and modern animal welfare norms.

The participation of political leaders in these events adds another layer of complexity. It suggests that political considerations often intersect with traditional practices, making enforcement of legal bans politically sensitive. Analysts note that the involvement of elected representatives can legitimize illegal practices in the eyes of local communities, undermining both the authority of law enforcement and judicial directives.

Enforcement Challenges and Way Forward

The persistence of cockfighting despite high court orders underscores the challenges faced by authorities in enforcing bans on traditional, culturally embedded practices. Police action, while occasionally effective, often clashes with community sentiment, political patronage, and the high economic stakes involved, making sustained enforcement difficult.

Legal experts suggest that a multi-pronged approach may be necessary to curb the practice. This could include stronger legal penalties, proactive monitoring during festivals, involvement of animal welfare organizations, and community engagement initiatives to educate villagers about the consequences of cockfighting and gambling.

In conclusion, the recent Sankranti festivities in Andhra Pradesh highlighted a persistent clash between tradition, law, and public morality. Despite clear directives from the high court, the continuation of cockfighting and high-stakes betting demonstrates the complex interplay of culture, politics, and economics in rural Andhra Pradesh. As authorities plan for future enforcement, the challenge remains to respect cultural traditions while preventing cruelty toward animals and curbing illegal gambling activities that have become increasingly commercialized.

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