Telangana temple fest: Men bite over 50 goats, leave them to die slowly - 'Wishes will be fulfilled'

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• 50 goats were brutally sacrificed at Bheemeswara Temple festival in Telangana
• Police start investigation after activists file complaints.
• Organisers defended the ritual as a long-standing tradition despite legal bans

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Around 50 goats were allegedly sacrificed in a brutal manner during a local temple festival in Telangana’s Jagtial district on Tuesday, the final day of the three-day Bheemanna Jatara held at the Bheemeswara Temple in Raikal mandal.

According to activists and local residents, between 50 and 70 goats were killed as part of a ritual known as “gavu pattadam”, The Times of India reported.

According to the activists, men bit the goats on their throats to make them bleed, instead of using conventional methods. The animals were allegedly left to die slowly, making the act extremely cruel. The videos quickly circulated among animal welfare groups, led to complaints to the police.

Based on a formal complaint, the Raikal police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the organisers of the event.

The case has been filed under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with killing or maiming animals, 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.

Confirming the action, Raikal police sub-inspector Chitneni Sudheer Rao said, “We registered a case and started investigation.” Police officials stated that further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.

However, the activists alleged that despite the presence of police personnel at the venue for bandobast duty, no attempt was made to stop the sacrifices. Police clarified that they were deployed only to manage crowds and claimed they did not witness the ritual being carried out.

Activists call ritual inhumane

Animal rights activist and complainant Adulapuram Goutham described gavu pattadam as one of the cruellest forms of animal killing. “The goats are bitten while alive and left to bleed to death. Despite animal sacrifice being illegal in Telangana, such practices continue openly at many temples,” he was quoted by TOI as saying.

Activists also claimed that similar incidents have been reported in several districts including Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Nizamabad and Adilabad over the last six months. According to them, close to 100 animals were allegedly sacrificed in these rituals.

Organisers defend tradition

However, temple organisers and local residents defended the practice, calling it a long-standing tradition. Temple priest and organiser Devuni Lingaiah said locals believe their wishes will be fulfilled through such sacrifices. “This custom has been followed for generations,” he said.

Another local resident, Rajesh, said, “We do not consider these sacrifices inhumane. This jatara is held every year between January and February as per the traditions of different communities.”

The festival allegedly drew around 10,000 devotees from across Telangana and neighbouring areas.