PETA Condemns Bigg Boss 18 for Including Donkey as Contestant, Urges Salman Khan to Take Action
The grand premiere of Bigg Boss 18 introduced 18 contestants from various backgrounds, including TV actors, politicians, and social media influencers, but it was the show’s unique “19th contestant” that sparked controversy. In an unprecedented move, the show brought a donkey named Gadhraj into the Bigg Boss house, leaving both the contestants and the audience in disbelief. While some viewers found the inclusion humorous, others voiced concerns over the welfare of the animal, which contestant Advocate Sadavarte brought in.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India quickly took issue with this development, expressing their dismay through a formal letter addressed to host Salman Khan. Shaurya Agrawal, an advocacy associate with PETA India, highlighted that the organization had received numerous complaints from the public, calling the donkey’s presence in the Bigg Boss house “distressing.” The letter urged Salman Khan to use his influence to have the donkey removed from the show and placed in a sanctuary where it could live among other rescued donkeys. PETA emphasized that animals should not be used as props for entertainment.
The inclusion of Gadhraj has triggered mixed reactions from the public. While some found the idea amusing, others pointed out the ethical concerns, noting that the human contestants had chosen to be confined in the house, but the donkey had not. Viewers took to social media platforms like Reddit to voice their concerns, with one user stating, “The contestants are trapped there with their consent, but the donkey is not.” Bigg Boss 18, hosted by Salman Khan, began airing on October 6 on Colors TV and JioCinema.
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