RAIPUR, June 2

In a poignant event organized by "Vegans of Chhattisgarh" in collaboration with "Our Planet Theirs Too," Raipur joined over 150 major cities worldwide to commemorate the 14th National Animal Rights Day (NARD) on Sunday. This significant event saw local animal rights activists gather to pay their respects and raise awareness about the plight of animals exploited for food, fashion, laboratory tests, and entertainment.

The event began with a visually impactful public requiem ceremony. Activists honored animal victims from industries such as meat, eggs, milk, leather, and more by lighting candles and adorning pictures of deceased animals with flowers. These memorials included images of chickens, buffaloes, goats, fish, and other animals, symbolizing the widespread impact of human consumption and exploitation.

Dr Kiran Ahuja of Vegans of Chhattisgarh highlighted the staggering statistic that 92.2 billion animals are killed each year for the consumption of 8 billion humans. “All animals want to live free from suffering, just like you and I do,” stated Anandita Dutta of Vegans of Chhattisgarh. “It is high time that humans spare animals a miserable life and a terrifying death by going vegan.” According to Dutta, each person who adopts a vegan lifestyle spares nearly 200 animals annually.

The event shed light on the harsh realities faced by animals in the food industry. Chickens, often confined by the thousands in ammonia-filled sheds, endure conditions that deny them any semblance of natural living. The transport to slaughterhouses is equally brutal, with animals crammed into vehicles, many sustaining injuries or dying en route. Slaughterhouse practices are equally inhumane, with workers using dull blades to hack at the throats of goats, sheep, and other animals, while fish are often cut open while still alive.

Following the ceremony, participants marched through Raipur with placards and banners, appealing to the public to adopt a cruelty-free lifestyle and embrace veganism. The march culminated in the unveiling, proclamation, and signing of the Declaration of Animal Rights, emphasizing the commitment to ending animal suffering.

This event in Raipur is part of a global movement to bring attention to the rights of animals and advocate for a more compassionate world. By joining forces with activists worldwide, Raipur’s animal rights supporters are making a powerful statement against animal cruelty and advocating for a future where all living beings are treated with respect and kindness.