Snakebites are common in rural Uttar Pradesh — but what if the tables turn, and the man bites back? In Hardoi, a 28-year-old farmer did exactly that, sinking his teeth into a cobra’s hood moments after
it bit him.
The bizarre incident took place in Pushpatali village under the Tadiyawan police station limits of Hardoi district, where Punit, son of Suresh, was working in his paddy field on November 4. While tending to his crop, a black cobra suddenly coiled around his leg and bit him — but instead of panicking, Punit decided to retaliate.
“I was working in my field when the cobra wrapped itself around my leg and bit me. It hurt badly, but I didn’t lose courage. I caught the snake and bit its hood in anger,” Punit told News18.
According to locals, the cobra died on the spot, while the farmer remained conscious. Villagers, initially horrified, were soon left speechless at his reaction. His family members rushed him to Hardoi Medical College, where doctors administered emergency treatment.
Survival Against the Odds
At the hospital, doctors found that Punit’s condition was stable despite being bitten by one of India’s most venomous snakes. He was kept under observation through the night and discharged the next morning.
“He was admitted around midnight after being bitten by what appeared to be a king cobra,” said Dr Sher Singh, Emergency Medical Officer at Hardoi Medical College. “We treated him with anti-venom and kept him under observation. His vital parameters remained normal, and he was discharged once we were sure he was out of danger.”
Dr Singh added that while the farmer’s survival was fortunate, his reaction could have easily turned fatal. “Biting the snake was an extremely dangerous act,” the doctor cautioned. “If even a trace of venom had entered through his mouth or gums, or if the snake had struck again, he might not have survived. People should never imitate such behaviour,” he added.
‘He Fought Back’
Punit’s cousin, Aman Kumar Verma, said the family was initially terrified when they heard about the incident. “We thought he was joking when he said he bit the cobra,” Aman said. “But when we reached the field, the dead snake was lying there. Everyone in the village is still talking about it — no one has ever seen anything like this.”
The incident has quickly become the talk of Pushpatali and surrounding villages, with locals referring to it as a “miracle of courage.” Some villagers are calling Punit a hero, while others believe he was simply lucky to escape alive.
A Cautionary Tale, Not a Feat to Repeat
Uttar Pradesh reports hundreds of snakebite cases every year, especially during the monsoon and harvest seasons. Rural health experts say that in most cases, victims die due to delayed medical attention or reliance on traditional remedies.
Dr Singh said that Punit’s survival should not be taken as an example of bravery to follow. “Snakebites are medical emergencies,” he said. “Immediate hospital care is the only correct response. Any attempt to handle, kill, or bite a snake can make things worse.”
Punit, now recovering at home, admits he acted on impulse rather than reason. “I don’t know what came over me,” he said. “Maybe I was angry or scared. I just reacted. I’m lucky to be alive, and I’ll never do something so foolish again,” he further said.
For now, Pushpatali village continues to buzz with the story of the man who turned the tables on a cobra. Some see it as bravery, others as sheer madness — but all agree it’s a story they won’t forget any time soon.
