PETA India urges Centre to implement nationwide ban on meat advertisements from Gandhi Jayanti

Animal rights organisation PETA India has urged the Centre to impose a nationwide ban on advertisements promoting meat from October 2, seeking restrictions across billboards, television, online platforms and other media to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti.

In a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the organisation said ending meat advertising would honour Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment to ahimsa. It also cited animal welfare, public health and environmental concerns in support of its proposal.

Letter to Centre

PETA India Senior Manager of Vegan and Corporate Projects Dr Kiran Ahuja said the organisation wanted Gandhi’s legacy of non-violence to be honoured by ending meat advertising and encouraging India’s long-standing meat-free food traditions.

The organisation has proposed that the restrictions take effect from October 2, observed as Gandhi Jayanti. The appeal seeks a ban on advertising and promotion of meat rather than its sale or consumption.

European examples cited

In making its case, PETA India referred to restrictions on meat advertising introduced in European cities, including Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht and Nijmegen. It said such measures had been introduced amid environmental concerns associated with meat consumption.

The organisation also referred to the meat-free spread served to world leaders during the BRICS Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing it as an example of India’s vegetarian culinary traditions.

Animal welfare concerns

PETA India cited its investigations into the transportation and slaughter of animals as another reason for seeking the advertising restrictions. It alleged that chickens are slaughtered while conscious, cattle and buffaloes are transported in overcrowded vehicles and goats, sheep and pigs are subjected to cruel handling.

These are claims made by the organisation in support of its appeal to the government. The Centre has not announced a nationwide prohibition on meat advertising.

Health issues flagged

The organisation also raised concerns over antimicrobial resistance, diet-related diseases and the potential spread of infectious diseases associated with intensive animal farming and poultry markets.

PETA India said around 73 per cent of antimicrobials used globally are administered to animals raised for food. It also cited projections suggesting antimicrobial resistance could cause around two million deaths in India by 2050.

October 2 rollout sought

PETA India said India has a centuries-old tradition of meat-free eating rooted in the principle of ahimsa and argued that restricting meat advertisements would encourage what it described as more compassionate and sustainable food choices.

The proposal currently remains an appeal by PETA India to the Union government. No nationwide government order banning meat advertisements from October 2 has been announced.