Authorities have decided to separate large and small bulls at the Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple goshala in Vemulawada and step up their distribution among farmers following the deaths of five bulls on Tuesday.

Local MLA and government whip Adi Srinivas, district veterinary officer V. Ravinder Reddy and temple executive officer L. Rama Devi visited the goshala on Wednesday and reviewed the situation. Srinivas directed officials to keep large and small bulls separately.

Ravinder Reddy said the distribution of bulls among farmers would be taken up soon to reduce the burden on the goshala, which currently houses around 500 bulls. So far, 2,100 bulls had been distributed to farmers in 10 phases, he said, adding that the 11th phase would begin soon.

The deaths have also revived a dispute over the conditions at the goshala. Opposition parties alleged that unhygienic conditions were responsible, while temple authorities denied the charge and cited several other reasons for the deaths.

Veterinary doctor S. Ramakrishna said some young bulls were injured when animals were moved together during cleaning. Smaller bulls could be injured when larger ones mounted them or through poking, he said. While minor injuries could be treated, animals with spinal injuries often failed to recover.

He said weak and diseased bulls had also died, while some animals brought from distant places fell sick during transportation and failed to recover despite treatment at the quarantine shed.

Ramakrishna rejected allegations of unhygienic conditions, saying the goshala was cleaned regularly and the bulls underwent health checks. Sick animals were treated and vaccinated against communicable diseases, including lumpy skin disease.

BJP state secretary Pratapa Ramakrishna, however, alleged that negligence by temple authorities was responsible for the deaths and accused them of giving greater importance to revenue than maintenance of the goshala.

The goshala at Thippapur houses bulls donated by devotees as part of the Kodemokku ritual. Temple authorities do not accept bulls below one-and-a-half years, but devotees sometimes leave young and unweaned animals on the temple premises. These animals are then shifted to the goshala, sources said.

The number of bulls has consequently increased, putting additional pressure on the facility.

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