PETA India received criticism for its hypocrisy regarding its stance on animal cruelty during Indian festivals

*Paromita Das

Prior to Bakri Eid, when goats and other animals are sacrificed and consumed as food, PETA India, an organization that advocates for animal rights in India, has decided to make a diplomatic appeal rather than enrage the Muslim community in that country. In actuality, PETA India made no calls for the “painless slaughter” of animals in honour of Bakri Eid.

Instead, it simply dispensed gyan, saying that “all religions call for compassion.”

All religions call for compassion. ❤️️#EidMubarak to everyone!#EidAlAdha #EidAlAdha2022 pic.twitter.com/q8W9dhUMXP

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) July 9, 2022

 

Is PETA India concerned about Muslim indignation there?

The Muslim community was not urged by PETA India to kill animals for their religion. Islamist mobs have recently carried out violent acts in India, calling for beheadings of those accused of blasphemy for allegedly disparaging the Prophet Muhammad.
Since Abraham (Ibrahim) was willing to sacrifice his son Ismael (Ismail) for Allah, Bakri Eid or Eid Al Adha is commemorated. In accordance with Halal practices outlined in Islamic scriptures, the Bakri Eid tradition entails slaughtering and animal, typically a lamb, and dividing the meat into three portions: one for the family, one for relatives, and one for the poor, so that all Muslims can eat meat.

However, PETA India, which frequently organizes protests and circulates petitions urging people to become vegan and stop using animals as food because doing so is cruel, has not made an appeal to India’s 20 crore Muslims to stop butchering goats and other animals.

Halal, a method of slaughter

The Zahiba, or halal system of “animal slaughter,” places a strong emphasis on the “bleeding” of the animals. This is especially true in light of Islam’s view that blood is “impure.” The fundamental element of halal slaughter is the drainage of blood from the killed animals. There are several verses in the Quran that reiterate the need to avoid blood consumption at all costs.

A sharp knife without nicks or scratches must be used to slaughter an animal in accordance with Sharia, the law of Islam. It is advised that the knife’s blade be 2-4 times larger than the animal’s neck, despite the fact that using kosher knives is not required. Before killing the animal, it must be fed well, given access to water, and comforted.

Only a sane, adult Muslim who is familiar with Islamic rituals may perform halal slaughter. Animals killed by a non-Muslim are not considered Halal. The Department of Halal Certification in the European Union states that the name of Allah must be invoked (mentioned) during the act of slaughter by saying: Bismillah Allahu Akbar. The animal must be rested on its left flank in accordance with halal protocol to maximize blood loss. Additionally, it must face toward Mecca (Qiblah).

The hypocrisy of PETA India discredits Hindu festival celebrations

As opposed to the previous wish, which urges Muslims to avoid killing animals until they are in excruciating pain, PETA India has a history of demonising Hindu festivals and the way they are observed.

This #Holi, be compassionate towards animals. Please DO NOT throw colours on them.

MORE TIPS: https://t.co/rtL9qHukaH pic.twitter.com/cNUCcCDbHk

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) March 5, 2020

During Holi 2019, a tweet by PETA

Celebrate Holi with vegan thandai! #Recipe #HappyHoli https://t.co/9EjbjW0ToM pic.twitter.com/wYxTqUIWD7

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) March 19, 2019

PETA India urged people to refrain from coloring animals in March 2020. That animals should not be harmed and should instead be treated with compassion. Hindus who celebrate Holi were urged by PETA India in 2019 to go vegan and drink vegan thandai, a milk-based beverage. Similar appeals have been made by them in the past. The Muslim community was not urged to become vegan, however, and there were no pleas for compassion regarding the Eid slaughter.

Similar “compassion” was displayed also during Diwali.

Fireworks can be terrifying for animals. This #Diwali go noise-free and help keep animals safe. #CrackerFreeDiwali #SayNoToPatakas pic.twitter.com/OPbVchEb0y

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) October 19, 2017

PETA celebrated Diwali in a noiseless, animal-friendly way, with our animal friends. #SayNoToPatakhas pic.twitter.com/og5nIzQxRN

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) November 12, 2015

Animals would most likely find being butchered and bled to death to be more terrifying than fireworks. What kind of Bakri Eid could be animal-friendly?

Hilariously, PETA India published instructions on how to slaughter animals “kindly” in 2020. Take note that PETA India has urged everyone to go vegan and give up dairy products on other days, including Hindu festivals. PETA India has come under fire over the years for its hypocrisy and double standards regarding its stance on animal cruelty. but that hasn’t stopped them from choosing “peace” for Eid, probably because everyone is afraid of upsetting the community where people call for beheading over “hurt religious feelings.”