Kurnool: Banni Utsav (hitting each other with sticks) turned violent on Dussehra day at Deorgattu in Andhra Pradesh. In fact, about 70 were injured and 4 are said to be critical due to the violence. Let me tell you that on Dussehra, thousands of people in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh hit each other on the head with sticks, a programme known as Banni Utsav. It is a practice that has been going on for decades. You must all know that different cultures are seen in every State of India. In the midst of this diversity, there are many rituals that are shocking. Andhra Pradesh is also on the same list where the Dussehra festival turned violent.
Banni Utsav was celebrated here on Dussehra day in the Deorgattu area of Kurnool district and people were seen snatching away the idol of God to carry it with them. In the meantime, every time devotees attack each other on the head with sticks, the same thing happened this time. This year too, on Dussehra, amidst a lot of prevention by the Andhra Pradesh Police, the Banni festival was celebrated with great fanfare, flouting the rules of the Corona epidemic. The festival started around 12 pm after performing puja at Mala Malleshwar temple and continued till morning. Thousands of people from 11 villages came to celebrate this custom. All were divided into two parts and then China began to pounce to take the idol of God with them. Soon, one group started pelting sticks at the other group.
About 70 people have been injured in the injuries sustained by sticks, out of which 4 are said to be in critical condition. According to information received, the injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Let me tell you that last year also, despite the government's ban, the Banni festival was celebrated, in which about 50 people were injured.
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