Bhubaneswar: Hinjili police arrested a Jatra artiste on charges of killing a pig on stage and chewing some of its parts in front of the audience at Ralab village in Ganjam district.
As per reports, Jatra actor Bimbadhar Gouda, who reportedly portrayed a demon’s role in a Ramayana play, was arrested for ripping open the stomach of a live pig and consuming its raw meat on stage during the performance in Ganjam on November 24. It was alleged that the animal was tied to the stage ceiling before Gouda used a knife to rip it open and consumed parts of its raw organs in front of the live audience to make the play sequence seem genuine.
The matter came to the fore recently after the video showing the inhumane act went viral on social media platforms. Concerned over the matter, the Forest Department lodged a complaint in this connection.
Based on the complaint, Hinjili police arrested one of the event organisers before arresting Gauda from Khalikote area.
It is pertinent to mention that every year, the Maa Kanjianla Jatra is celebrated at Ralaba village with much fanfare. During the festival, villagers perform various plays in opera pandals. This year, actors portraying demons shockingly enacted the act of eating a live pig as part of their performance, Besides, the actors were earlier seen playing with live cobras on stage.
