MUMBAI: A donkey has got the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) India frothing at the mouth. The ass called Max has been featuring in episodes of Colors’ Bigg Boss18, along with 18 other human contestants. The show, produced by Endemol Shine, added a new twist to the eighteenth season by introducing Max on it.
Peta India, which has more than two million members and supporters, has written to host Salman Khan imploring him to get Max, who has been brought into the BB house by advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte (a contestant in BB18), off the show.
“We are being inundated with complaints by members of the public who are deeply distressed over the keeping of a donkey in the Bigg Boss house.,” Peta India advocacy associate Shaurya Agrawal has appealed to Salman in a letter addressed to the hero. “As one of India’s most influential stars and the host of Bigg Boss, you have the power to set a compassionate example. We respectfully ask that you use this influence to urge the show’s producers to avoid using animals as props for entertainment. This would not only prevent stress to the animal and upset to viewers but also set a powerful precedent. We also urge you to encourage advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, who has reportedly brought Max into the house, to surrender the donkey to Peta India to rehome in a sanctuary with other rescued donkeys.”
Agrawal further states in the letter that the use of animals on a show set is no laughing matter as donkeys are naturally nervous and they would find the lights, sounds and clamour confusing and frightening. “That a show set is no place for an animal is obvious to viewers who are saddened to see the donkey kept in a small, confined space standing in waste,” he adds in the letter. “Moreover, donkeys are social animals, whose wellbeing is best ensured by permitting them to be part of a herd. Just as we humans live in family groups, so do donkeys. It is reported advocate Sadavarte keeps the donkey for research regarding milk. But donkeys produce milk strictly for their foals.”
He ends the letter to Salman stating that society has evolved, and the caring public finds the use of animals on shows sad, not funny. “Please take the steps suggested in this letter to show that Bigg Boss recognises animals deserve our compassion and respect.”
Will Salman, Viacom18 and the show’s producers Endemol Shine India heed Peta India’s plea? Will they evict Max and make him the first one to exit BB18?
It’s over to them.
