It appears YSR Congress party leaders are continuing to provoke the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government and the police by indulging in public ‘sacrifice’ of goats on the roads and conducting “blood bath” of the portraits of their leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Last week, the Anantapur police have taken stringent action against YSRCP leaders and supporters for allegedly performed public animal sacrifices and used blood to anoint flex boards with Jagan’s images on the occasion of the latter’s birthday on December 21.
The police registered cases against 26 persons across the erstwhile combined Anantapur district and arrested 13 of them. They were let off on station bail later. On Friday, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, too, sent a strict warning to the YSRCP cadres against public killing of animals and splashing blood on the road, to create a terror atmosphere in the public.
Yet, the “blood bath” continued on Friday night, too, hours after Naidu sent a warning message. This time, it happened in Chodavaram village of Nallajerla mandal of West Godavari district.
The YSRCP workers performed an animal sacrifice as part of their political display. The videos related to the act went viral on social media platforms.
According to police sources, YSRCP activists slaughtered a goat near a flex banner bearing the portrait of Jagan. The workers reportedly used the goat’s blood to perform a so-called “blood abhishekam” (ritual offering) to the flex banner.
In one of the viral videos, a party worker is seen holding the severed head of the goat and raising slogans, creating shock and fear among local residents. They even raised provocative slogans such as “Gangamma Jatara Rappa Rappa in 2029,” which further intensified tensions in the area.
Following complaints and video evidence, police reached the spot and detained six individuals for questioning. Officials said a case may be registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Police also noted that similar incidents of animal sacrifice were reported across the State during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s birthday celebrations, leading to the registration of multiple cases against YSRCP workers in different districts.
Local residents have expressed concern that such acts are creating fear and unrest in villages. Authorities have appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct celebrations in a peaceful and lawful manner, warning that strict action will be taken against those indulging in violence or illegal activities.