Politicians Display Palapitta During Dasara; Case Booked Over Uppal Incident
Forest officials book a case over the display of Telangana’s state bird during Dasara celebrations as animal welfare groups report eight Indian rollers rescued.
The forest department has registered a case over the display and release of an Indian roller or Palapitta, Telangana’s state bird, during Dasara celebrations at Uppal Mini Stadium, following criticism from animal welfare activists over videos showing politicians handling the protected bird at events across the state.
The Indian roller is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which regulates its capture and confinement. On Tuesday, eight Indian rollers were rescued in separate operations by the Greater Hyderabad Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) and Hyderabad City Police during Dasara celebrations.
The videos, which circulated widely on social media, showed Indian rollers being displayed to gatherings as part of the traditional belief that sighting the bird on Dasara brings good fortune. Activists alleged that capturing and confining the birds for the ritual violated wildlife protection laws.
At Uppal Mini Stadium, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud was seen holding a Palapitta during the celebrations. An announcement was made over the public address system inviting people to view the bird, which was taken out of a cage, displayed to the gathering and subsequently released.
Medchal-Malkajgiri district forest officer Venu Madhav said preliminary investigations had identified the involvement of Chandrashekar and Parameshwar Reddy, both residents of Uppal, and a few others.
A case was registered on October 21 under POR No. 16-03/2025-26, invoking relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, along with Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Notices have been issued to the persons concerned, and further investigation is underway.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, principal chief conservator of forests Vinay Kumar said the department would verify the authenticity of the videos before initiating further action.
Similar incidents were reported from Tandur in Vikarabad district and Borabanda in Hyderabad.
At Dasara celebrations organised by the Hindu Utsav Kendra Samithi in Tandur, former minister Patnam Mahender Reddy, former MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy, MLA Manohar Reddy and municipal chairperson Neeraja Balreddy participated in the event. Videos showed Palapittas being displayed to the gathering before three birds were released.
In another video from Ravana Dahan celebrations at Borabanda, Jubilee Hills MLA Naveen Yadav and former deputy mayor Mohammad Baba Fasiuddin were seen displaying a Palapitta before releasing it.
Mirza Kareem of the Forests and Wildlife Protection Society demanded action against those responsible for displaying the birds, including public representatives. He said wildlife protection laws should be enforced irrespective of the positions held by those involved.
He also expressed concern that the birds could be removed from the locations before forest officials intervened.
The Greater Hyderabad Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) rescued four birds from different locations in the city. Two were rescued near Tadbund Hanuman temple, while one each was recovered from Nagole and Begum Bazar.
The birds were sent to veterinary expert Dr Vishva Chaitanya for examination and treatment.
According to the veterinary report, three birds were found fit for release into their natural habitat. The fourth had sustained injuries, including a broken beak, and required further treatment and observation before its fitness for release could be reassessed.
In a separate operation, Hyderabad City Police rescued four Indian rollers confined in cages at three locations following information received from citizens.
Two birds were rescued from narrow cages near a temple close to Bapughat in Langar Houz. Another was found in a cage hanging from a tree near Sri Chitragupta Swamy temple in Chatrinaka, while the fourth was rescued near a temple in Balajinagar, Mangalhat. The rescued birds were handed over to forest officials for further care.
Police said capturing or confining birds in the name of religious or cultural practices could attract legal action under wildlife protection laws. Citizens can report wildlife cruelty or illegal confinement through toll-free numbers 18004255364 and 9803338666, or by dialling 112.
