peta-s-human-barbecue-protest-in-guwahati-for-vegan-change

A PETA India volunteer donned "bloodied" makeup and "charred" markings to stage a dramatic protest in Guwahati on Friday, posing as a "barbecued" human on a mock charcoal grill.

 

The demonstration ahead the ‘World Day for the End of Speciesism’, was aimed to draw attention to the shared capacity for pain among all animals, including humans.

 

The striking visual, with the slogan "Meat is murder, Please go vegan," sought to challenge passers-by to rethink their dietary choices and consider a shift towards veganism.

 

Utkarsh Garg, PETA India’s Campaigns Coordinator, highlighted the message behind the provocative demonstration.

 

"Just as most of us would never munch on a human, there’s no reason for anyone to chomp on a chicken," he stated.

 

Garg urged those disturbed by the idea of a human barbecue to opt for vegan meals over animal flesh, pointing to the cruelty inherent in the meat, egg, and dairy industries.

 

"A vegan diet offers a compassionate alternative to the cruelty inflicted on animals," Garg said, noting that these industries often involve inhumane conditions, including forced confinement, painful procedures, and slaughter while animals are still conscious.

 

PETA India emphasised that adopting a vegan lifestyle is not only kinder to animals but also beneficial to human health. Studies show that vegan diets can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and help prevent future pandemics such as SARS, bird flu, swine flu, Ebola, and HIV.

 

Environmental impacts were also addressed in PETA's demonstration.

 

 "Raising animals for food is a leading cause of water pollution and land degradation," PETA India noted, citing a United Nations report that calls for a global shift towards vegan eating to mitigate climate change.

 

With its motto "animals are not ours to eat," PETA India continues to oppose speciesism, a term coined in 1971 by psychologist Richard Ryder to describe discrimination against animals based on their species.

 

The annual World Day for the End of Speciesism, held at the end of August, seeks to raise awareness about this form of prejudice and promote equality for all species.