PETA, which had actively campaigned against Jallikattu, the bull-taming sport, says it is facing a deluge of bullying messages and threats. PETA India CEO Poorva Joshipura told THE WEEK that her employees were being threatened with death and rape. “Some people are even circulating private photographs with family members and attributing us with false quotes to incite harassment,” said Joshipura, who has now filed a police complaint.
PETA said that an illusion was created that all Tamils were in favour of Jallikattu. “PETA has so many Tamil supporters, who have always opposed Jallikattu and such other cruelty to animals,” said Joshipura. She said it was wrong to say that PETA was backed by business groups like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. “Anyone who alleges any tie-up or motive for PETA and its affiliates, regarding their communication with corporates other than to end animal suffering, is living in a fictitious world. In fact we have successfully campaigned against Coke and Pepsi and prevented them from testing their food products on animals,” said Joshipura.
Joshipura said that banning PETA was similar to banning an NGO that worked legally to protect children from trafficking.
Apparently, in 2015, many Bollywood actors and cricketers including Shilpa Shetty, Vidya Balan, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan had signed a petition for upholding the ban against Jallikattu. None of them, though, have spoken up this time.
Will PETA take legal action against the supporters of Jallikattu? Said Joshipura, “PETA is always strategic and thoughtful in planning the next steps. We are currently studying the matter and considering [legal] options.”
The Supreme Court will hear all pleas against Jallikattu on January 31.
