"If You Wouldn't Drink Dogs' Milk...": PETA India's Ad Promoting Veganism Criticised Online
"There's nothing natural about forcefully impregnating cows and buffaloes, stealing their babies, and consuming the milk meant for their young. PETA India's billboard makes the simple point that people who are disgusted by the idea of drinking dogs' milk should question why they consider it acceptable to consume another animal's milk and go vegan," the group wrote in its press note.
PETA India also shared the picture of the billboard on social media, with the caption, "Dairy production is rooted in cruelty, from forced impregnation to the heartbreaking separation of calves from their mothers. Cows are not milk machines; their milk is for calves, not humans. Ditch dairy."
PETA India's approach, however, didn't sit well with several social media users as they felt the ad went too far.
"This message could've been conveyed differently. This just misses the mark entirely." Another user added, "How do I unsee this now?" wrote one user.
"Whoever's on PETA's campaign team needs to log off forever," commented another.
"Distasteful ad. There are many other ways to promote veganism, this isn't one. It's disturbing to edit images this way. The only thing going for you, is that dogs can't speak up. Else they definitely wouldn't have liked being edited, presented in such a manner. Sorry," said a third user.
Some users, however, defended the campaign, saying, "If this disturbs you, it's because the reality is disturbing. We've just normalised it. Drinking milk from any animal-dog, cow, buffalo-is equally odd. PETA is just asking us to pause and think."
"Urgent need for more production of vegan milk with less cost. Will be more impactful if the government starts promoting it," suggested another.
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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Kolhapur residents hold 45-km silent march for elephant's return
MUMBAI: After the transfer of Mahadevi, an elephant belonging to a Jain shrine in Kolhapur, to Vantara, an animal rescue and rehabilitation initiative by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, those who were unwilling to let go staged a march on Sunday. Thousands of locals and leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Kolhapur marched for 45 km from the shrine to the collector's office, demanding that Mahadevi be brought back, following which CM Devendra Fadnavis said he would hold a meeting on this on Tuesday. Starting from the Jain Shrine where the elephant, Mahadevi, was kept for the last 30 years, thousands walked together to the collector's office. Mahadevi, 36, was transferred from the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswamy Sanstha to Vantara, following a Bombay high court order on July 16. The court's decision came after hearing a petition by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which had earlier raised concerns about the elephant's health and psychological condition with the Maharashtra forest department and the High-Powered Committee (HPC) appointed by the Supreme Court to look after the transfer and welfare of captive elephants. PETA had pointed out that the elephant had painful arthritis and foot rot and was kept in solitary confinement. The Supreme Court upheld the HC order on July 22. After initial resistance, Mahadevi was given a tearful farewell at the temple and shifted to Vantara on July 28, but plans by politicians and the people were afoot. Kolhapur residents reportedly began to boycott the Reliance Group's JIO mobile service and launched a signature campaign signed by 200,400 people to be sent to the President of India. After the outcry, Vantara's CEO Vivaan Karani met guardian minister Prakash Abitkar on Friday, following which the latter announced that the state government would move the Supreme Court to hand Mahadevi back to the Jain shrine. The march on Sunday began under the leadership of former MP Raju Shetti, which people joined en route. Other politicians who participated were BJP MLA Rahul Aawade, his father, former minister Prakash Awade, Shirol MLA Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar, Congress leader Satej Patil, Sangli MP Vishal Patil, MLA Vishwajit Kadam and local leaders. A memorandum was submitted to the authorities, urging them to bring the elephant back to the Jain math, where she was kept for over three decades. Addressing the crowd, Raju Shetti called the 'chronology of events leading to the transfer' of Mahadevi to Jamnagar a 'conspiracy'. He also alleged that fake health reports were submitted to the court by PETA and other concerned authorities to obtain an order for Mahadevi's transfer, and called for action against those responsible for submitting the reports. He also demanded that the President cancel the Supreme Court ruling and ensure the elephant's return to Kolhapur. Meanwhile, Vantara also issued an official statement on Sunday and said that it had played no role in seeking Mahadev's transfer. Rueing the 'considerable misinformation' that was being spread about this, the trust pointed out that it was named as a recipient by the HPC, based on its track record in elephant welfare. 'If the math feels it is entitled to the custody of the elephant despite enough proof and the final decision of the court, it should ask the Supreme Court to give it the elephant,' said the statement. 'What is the point of blaming Vantara? The promoter family, which supports Vantara philanthropically… were not party to the proceedings at any stage. Vantara reiterates its commitment to lawful, ethical animal care and has only acted in accordance with judicial and regulatory directives.' The Vantara statement also pointed out that the elephant had been transported 13 times from Maharashtra to Telangana between 2012 and 2023, often without proper forest department permissions. Reports and photographs documented that the elephant was being used commercially. 'She was sent for public processions, including Muharram, used for begging, and publicly paraded,' added the official statement. Using elephants for begging is unlawful and there are many conditions that have to be met before they can be paraded. Congress politician Satej Patil said that although Vantara had agreed to cooperate in transferring the elephant back to the Jain shrine, the state government should also intervene in the matter. Fadnavis, on his part, pointed out that the elephant was transferred to Vantara on a Supreme Court order and announced that he would hold a meeting on the issue on Tuesday. 'I will look into the legal aspects related to bringing Mahadevi back,' he said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Thousands march in silent rally in Kolhapur, demanding return of elephant Mahadevi by NGO Vantara
Kolhapur witnessed a massive turnout on Sunday (August 3, 2025) as thousands of locals walked in a silent protest, urging authorities to the bring back 36-year-old elephant Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, from NGO Vantara's wildlife rehabilitation facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Vantara is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and is supported by Reliance Industries Limited and Reliance Foundation The march, led by former Swabhimani Kisan Sangathan president and former MP Raju Shetty, began at 5 a.m. from Nandani, and concluded at 5.45 p.m. at the Kolhapur District Collectorate, where a formal appeal was submitted. 'We covered 45 km today. Over 30,000 people had gathered from Kolhpaur, Sangli and Satara. They joined a boycott of Jio (the Reliance Group telecom company), and in just the last four days, more than 1.5 lakh mobile users in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara districts ported their numbers to other networks in protest. We plan to carry out similar protests in north Karnataka, especially since it's a border region and several temples there also have elephants. A crucial hearing is scheduled tomorrow in a Bengaluru court,' Mr. Shetty said. 'This is a tactic by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), acting as a slave to (Mr. Anant) Ambani's interests, to seize temple elephants. We will file a formal complaint with PETA's head office in the U.S., and seek cancellation of their license in India,' he said, terming it a conspiracy. Mahadevi was in tears when she was taken away, Mr. Shetty said. 'Even though that facility (Vantara) already has over 200 elephants, they wanted her because she's beautiful,' he said. Over two lakh signatures had been collected from across Kolhapur, demanding Mahadevi's return. HC upholds animal rights The Bombay High Court on July 16, 2025 had dismissed a petition by a Jain math in Kolhapur, Swasthishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha, challenging the transfer of the captive elephant Mahadevi to Vantara. The elephant, owned by the math since 1992, was reportedly kept in solitary confinement and used for religious processions despite medical issues. Multiple expert inspections, including reports by a sub-committee formed by the high-powered committee, found that the elephant was suffering from severe foot rot, ulcerated wounds, overgrown toenails, and exhibited signs of psychological distress. Though the math submitted certificates claiming improvement in Mahadevi's health, the court noted that these were 'cursory one-pagers' inconsistent with photographic and veterinary evidence. Despite the legal backing, Mahadevi's transfer has sparked widespread local resentment. Many believe her presence at the Jain math held spiritual and cultural significance. BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik recently submitted a request to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, seeking her return. In response to public outcry, State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said Vantara executives had assured full cooperation in finding a resolution. Vantara's statement On August 3, Vantara, in a statement issued to The Hindu, said that there has been considerable misinformation surrounding the transfer of the elephant Mahadevi also known as, Madhuri, from a math in Kolhapur, to Vantara. 'PETA, a respected animal welfare organisation, had been tracking the elephant's condition since 2022. On 31 October 2023, it submitted a detailed complaint to the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The complaint annexed photographs, veterinary reports, and records pointing to serious physical injuries and psychological trauma suffered by the elephant, along with evidence of her commercial and illegal use,' the statement read. The statement further added that the elephant had been transported 13 times from Maharashtra to Telangana between 2012 and 2023, often without proper permissions from the Forest Department. On January 8, 2023, the Telangana Forest Department had registered Wildlife Offence POR No. 12-07/2022-23 under Sections 48A and 54 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 against B. Ismail, the elephant's mahout, for using Mahadevi in a public procession unlawfully. The offence was later compounded upon the payment of ₹25,000 — seen as an admission of guilt — and custody was returned to a local handler in Kolhapur. 'Reports and photographs documented that the elephant was being used commercially. She was sent for public processions including Muharram, used for begging, and publicly paraded. Children were made to sit in her trunk, and she was subjected to control with the banned metal ankush. In one of the more shocking practices, the Mutt was reportedly auctioning the opportunity to perform Pooja with the elephant, effectively monetising access to her. In 2017, the elephant had also fatally injured the head priest of the Mutt raising long-standing safety concerns,' Vantara's statement said. It further added that on August 12, 2023, following a letter from the local police, a team of government veterinary doctors inspected the elephant and reported open wounds, lameness, footpad thinning, and signs of mental distress. 'On 20 October 2023, Dr. Rakesh Chittora of Animal Rahat submitted a detailed medical report recommending hospitalisation and rehabilitation, also noting that the mahout lacked basic knowledge of elephant care. Based on these materials, the HPC initiated an inquiry but initially gave the Mutt a 3-month opportunity (from June 2024) to improve the elephant's condition. Follow-up inspections in June and November 2024 showed only superficial changes—serious medical and welfare issues persisted. On 27 December 2024, the HPC passed an order directing that the elephant be relocated to RKTEWT (Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust) in Jamnagar, a facility with natural enclosures, veterinary care, socialisation opportunities, and trained elephant keepers,' the statement added. Vantara played no role in initiating or seeking the transfer. It was named recipient solely by the HPC based on its capability and track record in elephant welfare, the statement read. The mutt challenged the decision before the Bombay High Court, which dismissed the petition July 16 after a detailed hearing. The court found the HPC's decision justified and prioritised the elephant's welfare over religious customs. The Supreme Court of India upheld this ruling on July 28, and directed that the elephant be transferred within two weeks. The matter is now listed for compliance reporting on August 11. 'The transfer has since been carried out by the authorities, and Vantara has merely complied with the court's directions. The promoter family, who support Vantara philanthropically, have no involvement in its daily operations and were not party to the proceedings at any stage,' the statement added. 'It is regrettable that despite full legal closure, a campaign of misinformation is being run to vilify Vantara and its supporters. When the highest courts have heard and decided a matter, continuing to attack a neutral party that has merely followed orders is not only unfair, it undermines public faith in judicial process. In any lawful society, even an ordinary citizen is expected to accept the authority of a final court ruling. That same standard should apply here,' Vantara said in its statement. 'Vantara reiterates its commitment to lawful, ethical animal care and has only acted in accordance with judicial and regulatory directives,' the statement said.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Jain Community protests transfer of temple elephant to Ambani-run sanctuary in Gujarat
HUBBALLI: The Jain community in Maharashtra and Karnataka has expressed strong opposition to the relocation of a temple elephant named Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, from the Nandani Mutt in Kolhapur to the Vantara animal rescue centre in Gujarat, operated by Anant Ambani. Although the elephant's transfer was carried out following a court order prompted by a petition from PETA (India), many Jains have condemned the move, demanding that the elephant be returned to the mutt or relocated to a government facility, rather than being placed in what they see as a private enterprise. Protests are being planned in Hubballi and Belagavi in Karnataka, with prominent Jain saints from across India vowing to escalate the matter. The community intends to petition Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, urging them to reconsider the decision. Public outrage intensified after videos of the Nandani Mutt seer weeping during the elephant's departure went viral earlier this week. In response, several members of the Jain community have begun boycotting products and services offered by the Ambani-led Jio brand. PETA India had submitted an application to the Bombay High Court citing the elephant's poor welfare and history of aggression. The 35-year-old female elephant, described as having exhibited dangerous behaviour in recent years, including allegedly causing the death of a Jain swamiji, was subsequently ordered to be relocated to the newly established Vantara facility in Gujarat.
