Andhra Pradesh to crack down on cock-fights this Sankranti

Like bull fighting in Tamil Nadu, cock-fights are a popular sport in Andhra Pradesh during Sankranti. However, the Andhra Pradesh government is now set to crack down on cock-fights this year.

The High Court on January 7 stated that there should be no cock-fights at any point of the year and asked for the measures that the government would take to ensure this. This was in response to a PIL filed by Jagadish Kumar, a resident of West Godavari.

However, Hans India reported that cock-fights have been arranged at various places in the state. The TDP and BJP leaders have reportedly said that cock-fighting can take place, but no betting would be allowed. Usually, heavy betting takes place along with cock-fighting. An estimated Rs 200 crore is involved in this gambling.

Meanwhile, NG Jayasimha, member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, has told The News Minute that they would monitor the cock-fight prohibition order of the Supreme Court. He told the news site that  "gambling is a offence, Sankranti is a festival of harvest and people shouldn't spend their hard earned money on gambling and cock fighting.”