Patna: Ahead of Bakrid, a group of animal rights activists staged a peaceful protest against animal sacrifice at Gandhi Maidan here on Sunday. Carrying banners bearing slogans such as “Ban animal sacrifice”, “Stop the bloodshed”, and “Choose empathy, not sacrifice”, the group called for an end to the exploitation of animals across all industries and traditions.
Throughout the demonstration, the youths raised slogans including “Band ho, band ho, pashu shoshan band ho” (Stop animal exploitation) and “Animal sacrifice is not good, meat is not food, it’s violence”. The activists emphasised that the slaughter of animals is morally unjustifiable and entirely unnecessary, whether for religious sacrifices, meat, eggs, or dairy. They aimed to convey that humanity should be at the forefront of all celebrations, stressing that festivals can be joyously observed without cruelty and the taking of innocent lives.
Activist Voices
Rishika, an activist at the event, said, “We are not targeting any festival or religion. We are against all forms of animal abuse, which cannot be justified. Our campaigns and protests cover various issues, including animals exploited for meat, honey, dairy, animal testing, and more.”
Major Chandran, co-organizer of the Vegan India Movement, highlighted the necessity of viewing the issue through a lens of justice. He stated that the movement seeks to promote compassion and ethical treatment of animals, urging society to reconsider traditional practices that involve harm to sentient beings.
Broader Message
The protest was part of a larger campaign by the Vegan India Movement and other animal rights groups to raise awareness about the suffering of animals in various industries. The activists distributed pamphlets and engaged with passersby, explaining the environmental and ethical benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. They also emphasized that festivals like Bakrid can be celebrated with joy and devotion without resorting to animal sacrifice, by focusing on community service, prayer, and sharing meals with the less fortunate.
The demonstration concluded peacefully, with the activists vowing to continue their efforts to end animal exploitation in all forms. They called upon the public to choose empathy and adopt cruelty-free practices in their daily lives.
