AT least 70 people were injured in India after taking part in a “thadi adi” (cane beating) festival that was attended by about 200,000 people, Malaysia Nanban reported.
The participants were supposed to clash their canes together but some inevitably ended up hitting each other, causing injuries. Apparently, it is an annual event which takes place in Andhra Pradesh state as part of a festival at a temple near Devarkattu.
Locals from 10 villages around Devarkattu participated in the event. They were divided into two teams, but it was unclear how many took part in the “voluntary beating”. Others were injured after falling down and getting trampled in the chaos.
There have been many calls for the “thadi adi” to be banned because of such injuries, but the event has continued with a strong police presence as villagers believe it to be a sanctified temple tradition.
The unusual festival and reports about the number of injured people often go viral online.
However, the event has continued to take place as participation is voluntary and the villagers seem to have fun.
