'Kaaki', 'Dega', 'Nemali': People gear up for cockfights in AP; Rs 2000 crore riding on bloodied sport

Vijayawada: Come Sankranti, Many villages in the Godavari region and coastal Andhra Pradesh are gearing up for cockfights. Crores of rupees are expected to change hands during the three-day Sankranti festivities over the cockfighting in Andhra Pradesh.

Unlike the previous years, the price of the fighting rooster increased by over 30 percent this year due to high demand for the fighting roosters. A rooster of good quality breed is now sold between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh this season.

The year the cockfighting is all set to witness a fiery battle between the exotic Peruvian double-crossed rooster and traditional Aseel, the fighter bird of the Andhra Pradesh region. The breeders in part of the East and West Godavari districts and Krishna and Guntur districts are feeding steroid-laced food and aphrodisiacs like Viagra in a bid to win the highly betting cockfights.

Thousands of illegal cockfight arenas spring up in interior areas where trained roosters engage in a fight to the death while onlookers bet on the winning bid during the Sankranti festival.

A breeder in the Godavari region said that Peruvian roosters are highly skilled and hyper-active when it comes to fighting to the finish. People from parts of Rayalaseema and Andhra Pradesh and also a few parts from Telangana state purchased the fighting Peruvian roosters by paying Rs two to Rs three lakh for the Sankranti fights, he added.

As the year 2024 is considered the year of elections, the political leaders will promote cockfights to win the hearts of the people. This year, the minimum amount of each game is not less than Rs 3 crore in Godavari region and it goes up to Rs 15 crore, depending on the number of punters involved.

Anywhere between Rs1,500 and Rs 2,000 crore (betting operations) is wagered in the three days of cockfights in the state. The Sankranti festival commences on January 14 with Bhogi and ends on January 16 or 17, said Sateesh Kumar (name changed), a native organizer of cockfights in the Godavari region.

Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday directed the AP government and police to ensure the implementation of an earlier order given by a division of bench in preventing cockfights during the Sankranti festival.

Cockfights (blood sport) are a major spectacle in many villages in Andhra Pradesh with locals viewing the sport as a cherished tradition. The blood sport with two trained roosters fitted with sharp blades on their legs fighting to death or until one backs off. Thousands of frenzies, including politicians, NRIs, software professionals, and youngsters participate in rooting for their feathered gladiators. The people bet huge money on these roosters.

Experts say around Rs 2,000 crore to change hands (betting) during the three-day Sankranti festivities

There are many breeds of the fighting roosters in AP. But, a lot of demand for the Kaaki Dega, Dega, and Kaaki Nemali breed birds only

Peru vs AP breed birds battle lines drawn in blood

The cost of fine-breed roosters has crossed Rs 2.5 lakh this season

Rs 25,000 is the minimum price of an Assel rooster in the AP market

Cockfight indeed means big business, hotels are packed in Godavari districts and Krishna and Guntur

Each room in a mid-size hotel is charging anywhere between Rs20,000 and Rs25,000 a day

Liquor shops and eateries selling biryani do brisk business in cockfight areas

AP High Court directed govt and police to prevent illegal cockfights

Cockfights promote gambling and cruelty towards the fowl