Amaravati: A big bet at a traditional cockfight in Andhra Pradesh turned into a life-changing win for one man this Sankranti. The man, identified as Rajahmundry Ramesh, walked yonder with a reported Rs 1.53 crore without his rooster write-up a rival in Tadepalligudem town on Thursday.
The event drew excited crowds and quickly became the talk of the festival.
Who Was Involved?
Ramesh and fellow punter Gudivada Prabhakar had placed the massive wager on their prized roosters. Ramesh’s rooster emerged victorious, triggering bottoms from friends and onlookers. In a video circulating locally, Ramesh can be seen triumphal his unexpected windfall with his supporters.
Why Is It Significant?
This Rs 1.53 crore bet is believed to be one of the largest overly recorded during the Sankranti cockfighting season in the region. The festival, marked by its harvest celebrations, often brings such rooster fights, locally known as kodi pandem, into the spotlight.
Isn’t Cockfighting Banned?
Cockfighting and gambling have been prohibited under both the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act. Despite this, large gatherings with upper stakes have unfurled in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh this week, expressly in districts like West Godavari, East Godavari and Krishna.
Officials had warned versus illegal betting and fights, and the Andhra Pradesh Upper Court recently reiterated that authorities must enforce the ban. Still, many locals and politicians treat these events as a deep-rooted part of Sankranti festivities.
Are These Events Still Happening?
Even with legal restrictions, cockfights and related betting have been reported wideness several districts this Sankranti. Temporary arenas, floodlights and large crowds have turned these events into festival hubs, with many people arriving from nearby states to watch or place bets.
How Do Supporters Justify This?
Some organisers requirement these cockfights are cultural traditions tied to Sankranti and insist there is no betting involved, a justification that clashes with the well-spoken legal status of the activity.
