If you drove by the gates of Gemini Circus on Palace Grounds on Friday, you would have noticed a man wearing an elephant costume and bound by iron chains. He was flanked by many animal activists, holding placards.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) activists were protesting against the use of animals in the circus. The activists want animal acts in circuses to be banned across the country.
“Animals are routinely chained and it’s not natural for them to live like this. They undergo psychological torment. They only perform because they are afraid,” said Poorva Joshipura, chief functionary at PETA.
She said that it is high time the government gets its act together.
“In 1998, the government banned the use of monkeys, bears, lions and panthers. As of last year, they banned bulls too. Now, it’s just about taking one more step and banning (use of) all animals like elephants, horses and dogs,” she added. India ought to follow in the footsteps of Bolivia, which has banned animal performances from circuses, she said.
If you take your children to these circuses, you can consider yourself a bad parent. “Most children love animals and will never support a place that treats animals so cruelly,” she added.
‘PETA must get its facts right’
Not everybody thinks that PETA is in the right for crusading against animal acts in the country.Premnath, manager of Gemini Circus, said PETA activists have incorrect facts about circuses in India.
“I fired the protestors today because when I quizzed them, they didn’t know any of the facts. We take good care of the elephants and other animals. PETA just wants to sensationalise everything because they want to remain in the news. They are idiots,” he said.
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