In Odisha, a 45-year-old theatre actor playing the role of a demon in Ramayana ripped the stomach of a live pig on stage and ate its raw meat.
The horrible incident sparked a statewide outrage after videos of it went viral on social media and was condemned in the assembly on Monday. The actor has now been arrested.
The performance was organized in Ralab village near the Hinjili police station in Ganjam district on November 24.
The actor, Bimbadhar Gouda, and one of the organisers of the event were taken into custody for violating the Wildlife Protection Act and causing cruelty to animals.
In the assembly, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party lawmakers Babu Singh and Sanatan Bijuli strongly denounced the event and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
"We have registered a case against the theatre actor who killed the pig and ate its meat in the theatre, and arrested him," said Hinjili police station inspector-in-charge Srinibas Sethy said.
According to Sethy, the theatrical troupe put on a gory performance to draw crowds during the Kanjianal Yatra festival. They displayed snakes while a demon ripped the stomach of a live pig with a knife, which was tied to the ceiling of the stage and ate some of the organs in full public view, he said.
"We are also looking for the persons who displayed snakes in the theatre. They will also be arrested soon," Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokar said.
