A YouTuber from Sircilla, Telangana, identified as Kodam Pranay Kumar, was arrested on Sunday following widespread outrage over a video in which he prepared and consumed a dish made from peacock, India’s national bird. The video, which went viral on social media, drew severe criticism from viewers who accused Kumar of promoting the illegal consumption of wildlife.
In response to the backlash, the video was swiftly removed from Kumar’s YouTube channel. However, the damage had been done, and the incident quickly caught the attention of the Telangana Forest Department. Authorities arrested Kumar and conducted an inspection of the location where the ‘peacock curry’ was allegedly cooked and filmed. Kumar now faces charges under the Wildlife Protection Act, which could lead to severe penalties if he is found guilty.
The forest department, while investigating the video’s authenticity, collected samples from the area for forensic analysis. The authorities are particularly concerned about the potential killing of a protected species, as peacocks are a symbol of India’s wildlife heritage and are protected under the law.
Sircilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Akhil Mahajan confirmed that a case had been registered against Kumar under relevant sections of the law. “Strictest action will be taken against him and anyone else involved in such activities,” SP Mahajan stated. The police have also sent the YouTuber’s blood samples and portions of the curry for testing to confirm whether the meat used was indeed from a peacock.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the illegal consumption of wildlife and the role of social media influencers in promoting or inadvertently endorsing such practices. The case continues to unfold as authorities await forensic results to determine the next steps in the legal process.
