Comedian Raju Srivastava Stars in PETA India Video Showing Cruelty to Horses Is No Laughing Matter

Actor and well-known comedian Raju Srivastava has joined PETA India for a video about the rampant use of illegal spiked (or “thorned”) bits on horses exploited in ceremonies. It comes on the heels of an enforcement drive in the city conducted by Lucknow police with support from PETA India, during which 70 spiked bits were seized. The video ends with a powerful message asking people who see spiked bits being used to speak up and take action by lodging a complaint with local authorities to help reduce the suffering of horses.

“The spiked bits can cause [horses] painful injuries, and they can even bleed at times. While we are busy dancing in wedding ceremonies … the horses are suffering,” says Srivastava in the video. “Whenever you see spiked bits being used on a horse or even bulls, you can take action … and lodge a complaint with the local authorities.”

The use of spiked bits is banned under Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965. Per Section 38(3) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, any person who contravenes the 1965 Rules by using a spiked bit shall be subject to punishment that could include imprisonment. In 2014, the Animal Welfare Board of India issued an advisory requesting that states and union territories impose a ban on the manufacture, trade, possession, and use of spiked bits. Similar law-enforcement drives were conducted by Delhi police in 2018 and 2019 as well as by Himachal Pradesh police in 2020, following complaints by PETA India. We have requested that the central government notify the Rules to ban the manufacture, possession, and sale of spiked bits.