Telangana Police Investigate Goat Sacrifices During Bheemanna Jatara Festival

During the three-day Bheemanna Jatara festival at Bheemeswara Temple in Raikal, Telangana, between 50 and 70 goats were reportedly sacrificed through a ritual called 'gavu pattadam,' where men bit the animals' throats, causing them to bleed to death. Animal rights activists condemned the practice as cruel and illegal under Telangana laws. Police registered an FIR against organisers and initiated an investigation, stating they were present only for crowd control and did not witness the ritual. Temple organisers defended the sacrifice as a traditional practice believed to fulfill wishes.