PETA India Honours Zubeen Garg for Speaking Out Against Animal Sacrifice

Singer Zubeen Garg recently called for an end to the ritual of animal sacrifice at the Kamakhya Temple in Assam. According to reports, while performing at a function near the temple, he expressed his anguish over animal sacrifice and said that the practice must be stopped. For this act of compassion, he’ll receive a Hero to Animals Award from PETA India.

Last year, following various efforts by PETA India and People for Animals, the Municipal Council of Kullu issued an executive order refusing to grant permission for animal sacrifices that were scheduled to take place on the last day of the Kullu Dussehra festival.

We offer this guidance to members of the public, explaining what they can do to help stop animal sacrifice. You can also read this letter from the government advisory body the Animal Welfare Board of India to states – in advance of Bakrid – letting them know that, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, the killing of animals outside licensed slaughterhouses is illegal. It further warns that animal-transport laws are often violated when animals are moved in order to be sacrificed.

Other recipients of PETA India’s Hero to Animals Award include Asin, for saving a dog who’d been hit by a car; Cyrus Broacha, for refusing to perform a stunt that involved riding a bull; Zarine Khan, for rescuing a cat from the street; Rani Mukherji, for helping a dog in distress on her film set; Sadaa Sayed, for helping a puppy who was almost hit by a car during a rainstorm; Shilpa Shetty, for raising awareness of the plight of animals in circuses; Aindrita Ray, for helping puppies who were being abused; and Dia Mirza’s production house, Born Free Entertainment, for showing that homeless animals make wonderful additions to families.