Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, hosting "Bigg Boss 18," has been approached by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asking him to persuade the makers of controversy-hogging reality shows to give the animals a miss.
PETA India issued a letter to Salman, with the subject "Urgent Request to Keep Animals Out of Bigg Boss," citing that there have been complaints over the "keeping of a donkey in the Bigg Boss house.".
The letter read : "We are being swamped by complaints by members of the public who are grievously hurt over keeping a donkey in the Bigg Boss house. Their grievances cannot be ignored."
You are one of the biggest stars in India and Bigg Boss host, so you are very influential; we politely appeal to you to use your influence on the producers of the show that no animals be used as an entertainment prop.
"This will prevent stress on the animals and upset to viewers and will set a powerful precedent.".
We also request you to guide Advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, who allegedly introduced Max to the house, to hand over the donkey to PETA India for placing in a sanctuary with other rescued donkeys. Such an act surely will accrue fans to Advocate Sadavarte, he said.
"We urge you not to make a laughing matter of the use of an animal on the set," the letter added.
"As prey animals, donkeys are naturally nervous. They, and all other animals, would be confused and frightened by the lights, sounds, and general hullabaloo standard to all show sets. That a show set is no place for an animal is obvious to anyone who is sad to see this donkey kept in such a small, confined space standing in waste."
"Besides, donkeys are social animals, whose welfare is best safeguarded by allowing them to be part of a herd. Like us humans, donkeys too live in family groups,"
The letter continues reading: "It is said Advocate Sadavarte keeps the donkey for research on milk. But donkeys produce milk strictly for their foals."
The statement concluded: "Please take the steps suggested in this letter to show that Bigg Boss recognizes animals deserve our compassion and respect.
Read also| Nyra Banerjee Plans to Change the Game in 'Bigg Boss' with Her Unique Strategy
