Karnataka Shocker: Cows 'Chased on Flames, Made to Walk Through Fire' as Part of Makar Sankranti Ritual; Watch Video
According to the ritual in Karnataka, the people – in the name of performing their age-old-tradition – made the cows walk on the massive flame of fire.
Bengaluru, January 17: In a horrific case of animal cruelty, the people in Mandya district in Karnataka while celebrating Makar Sankranti festival on January 14, performed the Kicchu Hayisuvudu ritual in which cattle were made to walk through the fire.
According to the ritual, the people – in the name of performing their age-old-tradition – made the cows walk on the massive flame of fire. However, the photos and videos of the event in South Bengaluru were shared on a Facebook page - Indigenous Games of Karnataka – glorifying the incident. The page says the locals decorate cows with garlands and bells and then make them walk over fire, believing that this will ensure good fortune and protect them from harm. Kolkata Shocker: 2 Women Beat 16 Puppies to Death at NRS Hospital; Watch Video.
The page, while describing the event, states that the villagers pamper the cows throughout the day on Makar Sankranti and are chased in the direction of the fire in the night. These cows are also made to jump over or walk through it. Adding on, the page writes the cows are only chased towards fire only on the night of Makar Sankranti, while from the next day onwards they are set free and graze in the open.
The festival comes in line with the controversial Jallikattu festival, which has been in debate for animal cruelty. Now it would be interesting to see whether gau rakshaks or cow vigilantes would comment on this tradition or not.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 17, 2019 11:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).