By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: People for Animal Odisha Chief Jiban Ballav Das has demanded that action against those using animals in procession and rallies. ‘We have noticed and also complain received from public that during different Puja Vasani procession/rallies different type of animals used by different Puja Mandaps, groups, individuals violating all animal protection laws. This type of use of any animal is illegal and violation leads to both fines and imprisonment,” Das said.
During Vasani procession animals are terrified by being forced into the middle of screaming crowds. They’re often beaten, whipped, kicked, and terrorised while being paraded through the streets and shoved into mobs in which people are shouting and pushing. They’re also often forced to carry loads in excess of their physical capacities and denied adequate food and water, and they can be seriously injured in the mayhem. This act of using any animals is a serious threat to the life of both animals and humans.
As per the section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 beats, kicks, over-rides, over-drives, over-loads, tortures or otherwise treats any animal so as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering or causes, or being the owner permits, any animal to be so treated is a violation the section which lead to fine and imprisonment or with both.
Section 429 of Indian Penal Code also prohibits such act which leads to threat to animal life and violation of such section lead to both fine and imprisonment. Article 51-A(g) states that duty of every Citizen of India to have compassion for all living creatures. So use of animals in processions/road shows/rallies is serious threat not only for the animals but also for the human crowd in the procession should be totally banned.” So all Puja Mandap people/groups/individuals requested to refrain from using any animal during Vasani procession/rallies/road shows failing which legal action will be taken as per the provision in the law.
In the last Durga Puja Vasani Procession different type of animals like Camel, Horses used by different Puja Mandops should be completely banned.In this regard we have requested Director General of Police, Odisha to give direction to all police stations that while giving permission for any rally, procession, Vasani procession of different puja occasions, marriage processions animal should not be allowed to used in any manner which violets the above Acts and rules, he dded.
