Tue Feb 25 02:48:20 UTC 2025: **One Dead, Several Injured in Andhra Pradesh Bull Races**

CHITTOOR, Andhra Pradesh, Feb 25, 2025 – A man died and at least 22 others were injured in two separate bull racing events held in the Kuppam mandal of Chittoor district on Sunday and Monday. The events, described as similar to the Tamil Nadu tradition of Jallikattu, drew thousands of participants and spectators.

Karunakaran, a villager from Adavibuduguru, died after being gored by a bull during a race in Mallanur panchayat on Sunday. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital in Chennai. Another event on Monday in Marwada village resulted in approximately ten injuries, ranging from minor to moderate.

Local villagers criticized the organizers of these events, private groups who, they claim, are emulating the more violent aspects of Jallikattu. The events, which are reportedly scheduled to continue until the end of March, are heavily promoted via WhatsApp and billboards featuring prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Large sums of money are offered as prizes, further incentivizing participation. The Monday event in Marwada alone attracted an estimated 10,000 people.

Despite a statement from the TDP Kuppam mandal president, Mallanur Premkumar, calling for a ban on the bull races and requesting police intervention, the Marwada event proceeded as planned. Concerns remain about public safety, particularly given another event scheduled for Tuesday in Bikkalagattu, a village near the Tamil Nadu border, which is expected to draw a large crowd.

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