Catching a glimpse of the Indian Roller bird on the auspicious festival of Dussehra is traditionally considered highly auspicious in Indian culture. However, this deeply rooted custom has snowballed into a major controversy in Telangana. During a public Dussehra celebration in the state, the official state bird of Telangana was trapped inside a cage and placed directly on the stage. Although the captive bird was later set free by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the incident has prompted the forest department to officially register a case.
The legal trouble began after video footage of the event went viral across various social media platforms. Prompted by the widespread circulation of the clip, wildlife authorities took immediate cognizance of the matter and initiated strict action. According to department officials, a formal case has been registered against the local Congress leaders who organized the festival, the individual who brought the caged bird onto the stage, and several other people connected to the episode. Authorities confirmed that a detailed investigation into the matter is currently underway.
The entire sequence of events unfolded during a Dussehra celebration organized at the Uppal Mini Stadium in Hyderabad. The video of Tuesday's event surfaced online, quickly catching the attention of the authorities. The footage clearly shows a man retrieving the bird from a cage and handing it over to TPCC President B Mahesh Kumar Goud, who then releases the bird into the open air. Once the clip became public, the forest department treated the situation with utmost seriousness. Officials stated that a case was formally registered on October 21 under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
The Indian Roller holds the prestigious status of being the state bird of Telangana and receives strict legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Under the prevailing laws of the country, capturing, hunting, trapping, or trading this specific bird is entirely illegal and constitutes a punishable offense. A senior forest department official explained that legal action has been initiated against the local political organizers and the person responsible for displaying the caged wildlife on stage.
Furthermore, enforcement officials are actively working to identify the specific person who originally captured the bird and brought it to the venue. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover all details, and subsequent legal steps will depend entirely on the findings of this inquiry. This incident is not an isolated occurrence during the festive period, as law enforcement agencies have rescued other birds under similar circumstances.
Police authorities revealed that during the Dussehra festivities, teams successfully rescued four caged Indian Roller birds from various locations across the city. Because spotting the bird on Dussehra day is traditionally believed to bring good fortune, people often attempt to view them. However, catching and caging a protected wild species to fulfill traditional observances remains a direct violation of wildlife protection laws.
