Congress leader in dock for displaying palapitta during Dasara festivities

Controversy has erupted over Congress party leaders using caged birds during a public event to mark the Dasara festivities here on Wednesday.

In a post on social media, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief B. Mahesh Kumar Goud was seen holding a palapitta, or Indian roller bird, in a cage, showing it to the audience and then releasing it while blaring an announcement from a megaphone that the palapitta had arrived.

Witnessing roller birds on the occasion of Dasara is considered auspicious in Telangana, leading to the practice of illegally catching the bird for a quick buck.

Local Congress leaders surrounding him include former Uppal corporator Rajitha Parameshwar Reddy of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and her husband M. Parameshwar Reddy, who is said to have organized the festivities at the Uppal Municipal Stadium.

Mr.Parameshwar Reddy posted pictures of the same on his X account confirming the celebrations which were attended by a large number of people.

Forest officials were alerted to the incident by a post from an account with the username ‘Forests And Wildlife Protection Society-FAWPS’.

“We request the defunct Telangana forest department to investigate this thoroughly and take immediate and strict action against it,” the post read while showing a video clip.

Medchal Malkajgiri district officials informed that a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 against those responsible, including Mr. Parameshwar Reddy.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 22:13 IST