Ahead of International Meatless Day on 25 November, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India staged a provocative demonstration outside the South Gate of the iconic Victoria Memorial in Kolkata on Friday. The eye-catching protest featured a PETA supporter “barbecued” on a simulated charcoal grill, with dramatic visuals of “blood” and “charring” delivering a powerful message about the ethics of meat consumption.
The unsettling scene aimed to highlight the shared capacity for pain and emotion between humans and animals, emphasizing that eating meat means consuming the corpses of sentient beings who valued their lives.
“Just as most of us would never munch on a human, there’s no reason for anyone to chomp on a chicken,” said Utkarsh Garg, PETA India Campaigns Coordinator. “We urge everyone disturbed by the idea of a human barbecue to switch to vegan meals, sparing animals immense suffering and fueling up with nutritious, cruelty-free options.”
A Grim Reality of Animal Agriculture
PETA India used the protest to draw attention to the harsh realities of the meat, egg, and dairy industries:
- Chickens’ throats are often slit while they’re still conscious.
- Cows and buffaloes are forcibly separated from their calves.
- Piglets endure castration without anesthetics.
- Fish are gutted alive.
Why Go Vegan?
The organization highlighted the numerous benefits of adopting a plant-based diet:
- Health Advantages: Vegan diets reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
- Pandemic Prevention: Many deadly diseases, including COVID-19, SARS, bird flu, and swine flu, have been linked to animal agriculture.
- Environmental Impact: Raising animals for food is a leading cause of water pollution, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. A United Nations report recommends a global shift to plant-based diets to mitigate climate change.
Passers-by near the Victoria Memorial were visibly moved by the dramatic protest. Some expressed shock at the graphic display, while others engaged with PETA volunteers to learn more about the campaign. The protest sparked conversations about ethical eating and sustainable food choices, achieving its goal of raising awareness about the suffering involved in animal agriculture.
With International Meatless Day around the corner, PETA India’s creative protest is a call for people to rethink their dietary choices. By choosing vegan alternatives, individuals can save animals from immense suffering, safeguard their own health, and contribute to the fight against climate change.
For those inspired to make the shift, PETA India offers resources, recipes, and guidance to help individuals transition to a compassionate and sustainable vegan lifestyle.
