That the media in Telangana has completely surrendered to ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and its president K Chandrasekhar Rao was once again evident from the way it remained silent on his visit to Jahangir Peer Dargah near Shadnagar on Friday.
While on record, it was shown that KCR had gone to Dargah to present Chadar, which is a routine think, what was not reported was the way the party leaders sacrificed as many as 51 sheep on his behalf.
Apparently, KCR had vowed in the past, when he was an MP of Mahbubnagar, that he would sacrifice 51 goats if the Telangana state was achieved. This was openly declared by deputy chief minister Mahmood Ali, Mahbubnagar MP A P Jitender Reddy and KCR’s political advisor Seri Subhash Reddy.
After the Dargah visit, KCR hosted feast for the locals as well as party leaders with the meat obtained from the sacrificed sheep. But it was not reported anywhere in any newspapers, because no cameras or media persons were allowed anywhere near the place of sacrifice.
Even the official camera person of the government was allowed to cover only KCR’s meeting after the dargah visit.
As per the Andhra Pradesh Birds and Animals Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act, 1950, which is also applicable to Telangana, slaughtering of animals is prohibited. As such, what KCR had done is against the law. However, Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, killing of animals as required by a religion is not a crime. So, KCR can get away citing this act.
In any case, being the head of the government it is not proper on the part of KCR to take up sacrifice of animals in the name of religious belief.
