PETA calls out Rohit Pawar over use of crab at press meet

Animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India called out Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar for animal cruelty after he was seen dangling a tied, struggling crab as a prop to refer to the kekada of corruption at a press conference on April 1.

PETA India wrote to the District Election Officer Minal Kalaskar and NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar raising the matter. In the letters, PETA India Advocacy Associate Shaurya Agrawal wrote, “It’s evident from the video that Shri Pawar’s use of the crab was preplanned. For a media stunt, unnecessary pain and suffering were caused to the animal. Research shows that crabs are intelligent individuals who can experience pain and suffer. They explore their surroundings, have good memories, and communicate with each other.”

The animal rights group said that Rohit Pawar’s actions violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; the Maharashtra Model Code of Conduct; and an order issued by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, dated 24 March 2014, prohibiting the use of animals for election campaigning, among others.

PETA India also wrote to Rohit Pawar and asked him to hand over the crab to the group for veterinary care and rehabilitation.